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rrata 
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leiure. 


□ 


32X 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

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1 

r-     t 


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« 


i 


I A  mini 

Erie 

P] 


* 


//^ 


YIEWS 


ON 


LAKE  ERIE, 


COMPRISING. 

minute  aad  interesting  account  of  the  Conflict  on  I.akc 
Erie— Military  Anecdotes—Abuses  in  the  Army- 
Plan  of  a  Mill  a ry  Settlement— View  of  the  lake 
coast  from  Buffalo  to  Detroit. 


By  SAMUKi.  R-  BRuWN. 


«  MVIiTUM    IN   PABVO." 


TROY,  N.  Y. 

PRINTED 

BY  FRANCIS  ADANCOURT. 


181J 


\ 


/6 


CS'C> 


1 


^ 


L  Minute  and  Interesting  Account 
^      of  the  Naval  Confiict  on 

■        I.A1.E  EBIE- 

.       T>-»rrv  arrived  at  Erie  in  JunCi 
Commodore  Perry  amv^     ^^^^^  ^^^^_ 

with  five  small  ^«^ff '^J^  Lady  Prevost,  were 
The  aueenparlott«an(ll.aco^  ^.^^_^^^ 

cruising  off  Long  Pomt  to  mW  ^^  ,^^^^ 
passed  them  lu  the  mght  i^'P^J^^  ^„  the 
Urence  ^^.f  J^f  ^"^^  Jmade  to  expedite 
stocks— every  ^'^^f' „,':„„„„*    and  early  m 

their  buif  ng  »^^^.y t"  2"     B"^ ''''% 
August  they  were  leacy  ^^^^^^     ^f 

necessary  to  pas^Jj^,  "^^  ^  was  but  six  feet 
the  harbor,  over  vrtu^ljec^       ^^,^^^  ^^^.^.^^^ 

^vater,  and  *c/>yg'  «'«^.^^      fonhe  purpose 
fleet  appeared  ort  the  ^aboi  ^^  1^^^ 

of  pieventmg  °"^^ J'u"  ^S^  officers  to  take 
The  means  emplojed  "y  °".  j^ug  ^nd  de- 
4V,o  hrifs  over  the  bar,  were  iiig^"  . 

tveSon.  .  T- l-5^t  feefd  ep^w^S 

^^"^■^A^'t'y  wf  firlfiUed  witlf  water 
prepared— tliey  weic  ^  vessels 

U  then  floated  Bj^g^S^yTere  ,j^^„  ^^ur- 
i„  a  parallel  d^^^^epieces  of  hewn  timber 
"f ''^rXart  S  wKh  both  ends  pro- 
fSt  SoA  port  holes  across  the  scows ; 


lie  space  between  these  timbers  and  the  l.oai  1 
bemg  secured  by  otb.rpiecesproperjy  arran.r-l 
ed ;  the  water  was  then  bailed  irom  the  scow?, 
thereby  g.ving  them  an   astonishini?  liftin- 
power     It  was  tlius  (hat  the  bar  was  pas  "d 
before  the  enemy  had  taken  the  propei-  step, 
to  oppose  .t     One  obstacle  was  surmounted 
but  the  fleet  was  not  in  a  condition  to  seek 
he  enemy  at  Maiden.      There  were  nol  at 
ns  tune  more  than  half  sailors  enough  to  man 
the  fleet.     However,  a  number  of  I^ennsvlva- 
nia  militia  having  volunteered  their  services 
the  commodore  made  a  short  cruize  offLon.^ 
Point,  more  perhaps,  for  the  purpose  of  ex- 
ercising his  jnen  tlian  seeking  an  enemy. 

About  the  last  of  August  commodore  Per- 
ry lelt  trie,  to  co-operate  with  gen.  Harrison 
i.".  the  redurtion  of  Maiden.    He  anchored  otT 
the  mouth  of  Sandusky  river,  and  had  an  in- 
terview with  gen.  Harrison,  who  furnished 
urn  with  about  seventy  volunteers,  principal- 
y  Kentucbans,  to  serve  as  marines  on  board 
i^he  fleet.    Capt.  Dobbin,  in  the  Ohio,  was  or- 
dered to  return.to  Erie  for  provision"     The 
Amelia  had  been  left  there  for  want  of  men 
to  man  her.    Exclusive  of  these  he  had  nine 
sail    mounting  in  all  fifty-four  guns.    The 
British  fleet  at  Maiden,  consisted  of  £x  sail 
and  mounted  sixty-six  guns.  ' 

Com.  Perry  appeared  before  Maiden,  of- 
fered battle,  reconnoitered  the  enemy  and 


'T^ 


rettred  to  Put-in-Bay,  thirty-five  miles  distant 
from  his  antagonist.  Both  parties  remained 
a  few  days  inactive ;  but  tiieir  repose  was  that 
of  the  lion. 

Ontlie  morning  of  the  10th  of  September, 
at  sunrise,  the  enemy  were  discovered  bearmg 
down  from  Maiden  for  the  evident  purpose  of 
attacking  our  squadron,  then  at  anchor  in  Put- 
in-Bay.    r^ot  a  moment  was  to  be  lost.     Our 
squadron  immediately  got   under  way  and 
stood  out  to  meet  the  British  fleet,  which  at 
this  time  had  the  weather  gage.     At  10  A.  M. 
the  wind  shifted  from   S.  W.  to  S.  E.  which 
brou<rht   our   squadron  to  Windward.     The 
wind^'was  light,  tlie  day  beautiful— not  a  cloud 
obscured  the  horizon.     The  line  was  formed 
at  11,  and  com.  Perry  caused  an  elegant  flag, 
which  he  had  privately  prepared,  to  be  hoist- 
ed at  the  mast  head  of  the  Lawrence  ;  on  this 
flaj'-  was  painted  in  characters,  legible  to  the 
wliole  fleet,  the  dying  words  of  the  immor- 
tal Lawrejnce:— "  Dois't  give  up  the  ship." 
Its  eflect  is  not  to  be  described— every  head 
was  electrified.    I'he  crews  cheered— the  ex- 
hilerating  can  was  passed.  Both  fleets  appear- 
ed  eager  for  the   conflict,   on  the  result  of 
wliich  so  much  depended.     At  1 5  minutes  be- 
fore 12,  the  Detroit,  the  head-most  ship  of  the 
enemy,  opened  upon  the  Lawrence,  wliich  for 
ten  minutes  was  obliged  to  sustain  a  well   di- 
rected and  heavy  fire  from  the  enemy's  two 
large  ships,  without   being  able  to  retiun  it 

a2 


r 


wsw* 


mm 


f> 


6 

with  carronades,  at  five  minutes  before  twelve- 
the  Lawrence  opened  upon  the  enemy-^the 
other  vessels  were  ordered  to  sup[K)rt  her,  but 
the  wind  was  at  this  tune  too  light  to  enable 
them  to  come  up.  Every  brace  and  bowline 
of  the  Lawrence  being  soon  shot  avyay,  she 
became  unmanageable,  and  in  this  situation 
sustained  the  action  upwards  of  two  hours, 
wittiin  canister  distance,  until  every  gun  was 
rendered  useless,  and  but  a  small  part  of  her 
crew  left  unhurt  upon  deck. 

At  half  past  two  the  wind  increased  and  en- 
abled tlie  Niagara  to  come  into  close  action — 
tlie  gun-boats  took  a  nearer  position.  Com. 
Terry  left  his  ship  in  charge  of  Lt.  Yarnel,  and 
went  on  board  the  Niagara.  Just  as  he  reach- 
ed that  vessel,  the  flag  of  the  Lawrence  caine 
down ;  the  crisis  had  arrived.  Capt.  Elliot 
at  this  moment  anticipated  the  wishes  of  the 
commodore,  by  volunteering  his  services  to 
bring  the  schooners  into  close  action. 

At  forty-five  minutes  past  t\Vo,  the  signal 
was  made  for  close  action.  The  Niagara  be- 
ing very  little  injured,  and  her  crew  fresh,  the 
coinmodore  determined  to  pass  through  the 
enemy's  line ;  he  accordingly  bore  up  and 
passed  ahead  of  tlie  Detroit,  Uueen  (Charlotte, 
and  Lady  Prevost,  pouring  a  terrible  raking 
fire  into  them  from  the  starboard  guns,  and  on 
the  Chippeway  and  Little  Belt,  from  the  lar- 
board *ide,  at  half  pi-:tol  /?hot  di-:tance.    Tl^e 


r 


^^ 


:e  twelve- 
rny-^— the 
L  her,  but 

0  enable 

1  bowline 
iway,  she 
situation 
o   hours, 

gun  was 
irt  of  her 


d  and  en- 
action— 
n.  Com. 
irnel,  and 
he  reach- 
ice  came 
pt.  Elliot 
hes  of  the 
3rvices  to 


he  signal 
iagara  be- 
fresh,  the 
rough  the 
e  up  and 
C'harlotte, 
)le  raking 
[IS,  and  on 
n  the  lar- 
ice.    TUe 


■nail  vessels  at  this  lime  having  got  withm 
Hnall  ^^'=?^  ;;.  .  distance,  ke()t  up  a  well 
■rape  and  ^^f '^^^    ,^^^^^  The  action  no  w 

SlotU  hav  i  h>Ht  her  commander  and  sev- 
^r^lus4wiU.outthe^^^ 


fc^e  flags  of  the  petroU,Q^^^ 


iiieen  Char- 
Lihle— the  nags  oi  luc  i^<.w.»..,    ■- 
I  ,!    „„,i  T  -,Hv  Prevost  veie  struck  in  r..pia 
lolte  and  Lad>  1  it^^^^i  j  schooner 

Buccession.  lUe  ung  uuni^  .i„,i  ,„  fnllow 
rhinnewav,  were  soon  compelled  to  lol  ow 
n,P  Pxamole  Tlie  Little  Belt  attempted  to 
Kape  to  Maiden,  bnt  she  was  pursued  by 
Kwo  of  the  «un-boats  a.id  surrendered  about 
Keiniles  distant  from  the  scene  oi  action. 

I     The  writer  of  this  account,  incompany  wUh 
fivlothevs,  arrived  at  the  tead  of  P»<--;B|y  ■ 
kland  on  the  evening  of  the  9th,  and  haa  a 
vLw  of  «>e  action  at  the  distance  of  only  ten 
miles     The   spectacle  was  truly  grand  and 
Zm     The  fi  ing  was  incessant  for  the  space 
of  hr'ee  hours,  aSd  continued  at*ortin  er- 
vals  forty-five  minutes  longer.    In  less  than 
one  hour  after  the  battle  began,  most  of  the 
vessel  of  both  fleets  were  enveloped  ma 
cloud  of  smoak.  which  rendered  the  issue  of 
the  acSon  uncertain,  till  the  next  inorning. 
S'hen  we  visiledthe  fleet  in  the  harbo-n  U^ 
opposite  side  of  the  island.     The  leaUer  ww 


\\ 


I  I 


i         1  ■  ! 


I      ''I 


ft 

easily  .in(ii»c  of  our  solicit  iide  to  learn  tlie  reJ 
suit  There  is  no  sentiment  more  painful  tlian| 
suspense,  when  it  is  excited  by  tlie  uiiceitain| 
iosuo  of  an  event  like  this. 

If  the  wind  had  continued  at  S.  W.  it  was! 
the  intention  of  admiral  Barclay  to  liavel 
boarded  our  sqiiadron ;  for  this  puipose  he 
had  taken  on  board  his  fleet  about  200  of  the 
famous 41st  regiment;  they  acted  as marinesl 
and  foui>;ht  bravely,  but  nearly  two  thirds  of 
them  were  either  killed  or  wounded. 

The  carnage  on  board  the  prizes  was  pro- 
digious— they  must  have  lost  200  hi  killed 
besides  wounded.  The  sides  of  the  Detroit 
and  Queen  Charlotte  were  shattered  from 
bow  to  stern ;  there  was  scarcely  room  to  place 
one's  hand  on  their  larboard-  sides  whhout 
touching  the  impression  of  a  shot — a  great 
many  balls,  canister  and  grape,  were  found 
lodged  in  their  bulwarks,  which  were  too 
thick  to  be  penetrated  by  our  carronades,  un- 
less within  pistol  shot  distance.  Their  masts 
were  so  much  shattered  that  they  fell  over- 
board soon  after  they  got  into  the  bay. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  severe,  par- 
ticularly on  board  the  Lawrence.  When  her 
Hag  was  struck  she  had  but  nine  men  tit  for 
duty  remaining  on  deck.  Her  sides  were 
completely  riddled  by  the  shot  from  the  long 
guns  of  the  British  ships.    Her  deck,   the 


\il 


■^\ 


9 

moniinf;  after  the  conflict,  wlienT  first  went  on 
board,  exliihitod  a  scene  that  defies  descrip- 

•,(,11 for  it    was   literally   covered     vvilh 

)lood,  which  still  adhered  to  tlie  plank  in  do! a 
—brains,  hair  and  fragments  of  bones  were 
still  stic;kin<^'  to  the  riggina;  and  sides.  The 
surgeons  were  still  busy  with  the  wounded — 
inough  !  horror  appalled  my  senses. 

Among  the  wounded  were  several  brave 

fellows,  each  of  whom  had  lost  a  leg  or  an 

rm — they  appeared  cheerful  and  expressed 

hope  that  they  had  done  their  duty.     Rome 

nd  Sparta  would  iiave  been  proud  of  these 

eroes. 

It  would  be  invidious  to  particularize  ins- 
[ances  of  individual  merit,  where  every  one 
^o  nobly  performed  bis  part.  Of  the  nine 
bamen  remaining  unhurt  at  the  time  the 
jawrence  struck  lier  flag,  five  were  immedi- 
itely  promoted  for  their  imshaken  firmness 

such  a  trying  situation.  The  most  of  these 
md  been  in  the  actions  with  the  Guerricre  and 
lava. 

Every  officer  of  the  Lawrence,  except  the 

fommodore  and  his  little  brotlier,  a  promit:- 

ig  youth,  13  years  old,  were  eitiier  killed  or 

rounded,  a  list  of  whose  names  are  given  at 

lie  close  of  the  account. 

The  efficacy  of  the  gun  beats  was  fully 


Y 


li- 


1.  »<  ■ 


I.* 


t 


10 


proved  in  this  action,  and  the  stems  of  all  the 

prizes  bear  ample  testimony  of  the  fact. 

They  took  rakinff  positions  and  galled  the  etu 
emy  severely.  The  Lady  Prevost  lost  twelve 
men  before  either  of  the  brigs  fired  on  her.-— 
Their  fire  was  quick  and  precise.  Let  us  hear 
the  enemy.  The  general  order  of  Adjutant 
General  Baynes,  contains  the  following  words: 
«  His  [Perry's]  numerous  gua  boats,  [four] 
which  had  proved  the  greatest  annoyance 
during  the  action,  were  all  uninjured," 


The  undaunted  bravery  of  admiral  Barclay 
entitled  hun  to  a  better  fate ;  to  the  loss  of  the 
day  was  superadded  grievous   and  danger- 
ous wounds  ;  he  had  before  lost  an  arm  ;  it 
was  now  his  hard  fortune  to  lose  the  use  ot  the 
other,  by  a  shot  which  carriied  away  the  blade 
of  the  right  shoulder ;  a  canister  shot  made  a  | 
violent  contusion  in  his  hip :  his  wounds  were  ' 
for  some    days  considered   mortal.    Every 
possible  attention  was  paid  to  his  situation. — 
When  com.  Perry  sailed  for  Buflalo,  he  was 
so  far  recovered  that  he  look  passage  on  board 
our  fleet.    The  fleet  touched  at  Erie.     The 
citizens  saw  the  affecting  spectacle  of  Plarrison 
and  Perry  supporting  the  wounded  British  he-* 
ro,  still  unable  to  w  alk  without  help,  from  the 
beach  to  their  lodgings. 

On  board  of  the  Detroit,  twenty-four  hours 
after  her  surrender,  were  found  snugly  stowed 
away  in  the  hold,  two  Indian  Chiefs,  who  had  I 


V; 


the  courage  to  go  onboard  at  Maiden,  for  the 
purpose  of  acting  as  sharp  shooters  to  kil   our 
officers.    One  had  the  courage  to  ascend  into 
the  round  top  and  discharged  his  piece    but 
the  whizzing  of  shot,  sphnters,  and  biti  ot  rig- 
o^infic,  soon  made  the  place  too  warm  for  him 
1-he  descended  faster  than  he  went  up ;  at  the 
Tnoment  he  reached  the  deck,  the  fragments 
of  a  seaman's  head  struck  his  comrade's  face, 
and  covered  it  with  blood  and  brains.    He  vo- 
ciferated the  savage  interjection  «  quoh  I  and 
both  sought  safety  below. 

The  British  officers  had  domesticated  a 
hear  at  Maiden.  Bruin  accompanied  his  comr 
rades  to  battle — was  on  the  deck  of  the  Detroit 
during  the  engagement,  and  escaped  unhurt. 

The  killed  of  both  fleets  were  thrown  over 
board  as  fast  as  they  fell.  Several  were  wash- 
ed ashore  upon  the  island  and  the  main  during 
the  gales  that  succeeded  the  action. 

Com.  Perry  treated  the  prisoners  with  hu- 
manity and  indulgence ;  several  Canadians, 
having  wives  at  Maiden,  were  permitted  to 
Tisit  tlieir  families  on  parole. 

The  British  were  superior  in  the  length  and 
pumher  of  their  guns,  as  well  as  in  the  number 
of  men.  The  American  fleet  was  manned 
with  a  motly  set  of  beings,  Europeans,  Afri- 
cjins,  Americans  from  every  part  of  the  Uni- 


l 


m 


M 


I 


ft. 

r 


f1 

li 


12 

ted  States.  Full  one  fourth  were  Hacks,  I 
sa\v  one  Russian,  who  could  not  speak  a 
word  of  English.  They  were  brave— and 
who  rould  be  otherwise  under  the  command 
of  Perry  ? 

The  day  after  the  battle,  the  funeral  obse- 
quies of  the  American  and  British  officers, 
who  had  fallen  in  the  action  were  performed, 
in  an  appropriate  and  affecting  manner.     An 
opening  on  the  margin  of  tlie  bay  was  selected 
for  the  interment  of  the  bodies.     The  crews 
of  both  fleets  attended.     The   weather  was 
fine— the  elements  seemed  to  participate  in 
the  solemnities  of  the  day,  for  every  breeze 
was  hushed  and  not  a  wave  ruilled  the  surface 
of  tlie  water,     llie  procession  of  boats— the 
neat  appearance  of  the  officers  and  men— the 
music— the  slow  and  regular  motion  of  the 
oars,  striking  in  exact  time  with  the  notes  of 
the  solemn  dirge— the  mournful  waving  of  the 
flags- the  sound  of  the  minute  guns  from  the 
diiierent  ships  in  the  the  harbor— the  wild  and 
solitary  aspect  of  the  place— the  stilness  of 
nature,  gave  to  the  scene  an  air  of  melancholy 
grandeui,  better  felt  than  described— all  ac- 
knowledged its  influence— all  were  sensibly 
aflected.     W  hat  a  contrast  did  it  exhibit  to  the 
terrible  conflict  of  the  preceding  day  !  Then 
the  people  of  the  two  squadrons  were  engaged 
in  tlie  deadly  strife  of  arms.    Now  they  asso- 
ciated like  brothers,  to  pay  the  last  sad  tri- 
bute of  respect  to  the  dead  of  both  nations. 


/|  \ 


13 

f*ive  ofticers  were  interred,  two  American 
and  three  British.  Lt.  Brooks  and  midship- 
man Laub  of  the  Lawrence  ;  capt.  Fmnisand 
It  Stokoe  of  the  Queen  Charlotte,  and  lieut. 
Garland  of  the  Detroit.  The  graves  are  but 
a  few  paces  from  the  beach,  and  the  future 
traveller  of  either  nation,  will  find  no  memento 
whereby  he  may  distinguish  the  American 
from  the  British  hero. 

The  marines  of  our  fleet  were  highly  com- 
plimented by  Hie  commodore,  for  their  good 
conduct ;  althqvgh  it  was  the  first  time  the 
most  of  them  had  seen  a  square  rigged  vessel, 
being  fresh  from  Harrison's  arm^.  The  Ken- 
tuckians  proved,  on  this  occasion,  as  has  the 
commodore  since,  that  they  can  fight  on  both 
elements. 

Capt.  Elliot  certainly  deserves  great  praise 
for  his  bravery — it  is  to  be  regretted,  however, 
that  he  overacted  his  part.  When  he  w  ent  on 
board  the  Scorpion  to  order  her  to  take  a  near- 
*  er  position  to  the  enemy,  he  ordered  captain 
Almy  below,  and  struck  sevbral  of  the  men  in 
their  faces  with  his  speaking  trumpet,  by 
which  means  he  gave  them  much  pain  and  in- 
delible scars,  without  accelerating  a  moment, 
her  motion  or  her  fire.  Such  freaks  of  passion 
and  tyranny  must  be  exposed,  however  pain- 
ful the  task.  The  Scorpion  had  been  well 
fought,  and  neither  her  captain  or  crew  dor 
served  the  treatment  they  received.    Afte^ 

B 


I 


W 


s*ts 


'..'iK 


f.\  f 


14 

the  action,  commodore  Perry  afFemcI  captain 
Mmy  the  conmmnd  of  the  Lady  Prevost,  but 
he  declined  the  honor,  and  requested  that  a 
court  martial  migjit  liecide  on  liisffuilt  or  in- 
nocence. 

Capt.  Turner,  of  the  Caledonia,  signalized 
himself— he  brought  his  ship  into  action  in  an 
able  manner,  and  contributed,  no  doubt,  his 
lull  share  towards  the  success  of  the  day  He 
IS  an  officer  of  CQurageand  skill ;  but  the  man- 
nei  HI  which  be  treats  his  men#  detracts  much 
Irom  his  merit  as  a  naval  commander.  Where 
kimaijityk  wanting,  all  other  virtues  shine 
with  diinaiished  lustre.  The  men  who  fought 
spgloriously  onlheever  memorable  10th of 
beptember— who  risked  their  lives  and  re- 
ceived honorable  wounds—who  generouslv 
Tolunteered  their  services,  and  whose  heroism 
will  .  celebrated  through  distant  a^es,  oudit 
not  to  he  flogged,  cruelly  flogged  like  doers, 
for  trivial,  or  rather  for  no  oifenceL-.  at  all-^ 
Men  whose  services  are  greater  than  the  na- 
tional gratitude  or  recompense  can  requite 
ought  not  to  languish  in  sickness— to  sink  in 
death  without  one  effort  to  save  them— with- 
out the  least  attention  to  alleviate  their  suffer- 
ings. 

•  '"' 

The  following  pertinent  motto  lias  ex<?it€d 
unbounded  enthusiasm :— «  Free  trade  and 
bailor  s  nghtsr  Let  then  the  «  rights"  of  the 
':  Sailof'  b/B  respected,  as  well  by  our  ow» 


'  I 


:"'■..♦ 


'^  1'  -i' 


K^. 


„U- 


<    ''  .i^. 


'.  '7: 


v"" 


KlfMMlM^IIM 


mil  captain 
revost,  but 
istecl  that  a 
jjuiit  or  in- 


signalized 
iction  in  an 

doubt,  his 
e  day.  He 
lit  the  man- 
racts  much 
ir.  Where 
tues  sliine 
who  fought 
ble  lOtliof 
3s  and  re- 
generouslj 
)se  heroism 
ages,  ought 

like  dogs, 
2e  at  all. — 
'lan  tlie  na- 
an  requite, 
-to  sujk  in 
tiem— with- 
Jieir  suffer- 


han  ex<?it€d 
trade  and 

"•te'Volthe 
y  our  owft 


1j 


Officers  as  by  thof*e  of  the  enemy.    It  is  scwnc- 
thing  worse  than  folly  to  talk  of  "  SaHor  s 
ri^'htsr  while  mir  naval  officers  are  permitted 
tcfflogjbeat,  and  otherwise  maltreat  tbetrinen. 
[The  officers  acquire  their  glory,  in  mast  cases,^ 
I  at  the  expense  of  the  lives  and  the  blood  oi 
their  men.    How  great  then  the  obligation  to 
treat  them  with  kindness  and  humanity !  But 
it  may  be  obiected-  that  a  lenient  system  ot 
discipllBe  will  not  answer  for  thejiaval  ^etvice 
—that  we  must  imitate  the  British  iir  severity, 
Nothing  is  more  fallacious— I  wiH^  only  cite 
one  case  to  prove  my  position :  the  crew  of 
the  Essex  are  as  obedient  to  command  as  that 
of  any  ship  in  the  nary ;  y^t  the  gallant  capt. 
Porter,  who  is  as  humane  as  he  is  brave,  never 
inflicts  corporal  punishment.     If  the  limits  of 
this  work  permitted,  I  could  give/ac^i',  nainc^ 
and  cifeam^m^e^  that  wotrM  astoni^  the  tdatl 
er  afld  excite  his  iffd^n^ttJon. 


.   X-    » J-  '4- 


1  do. 
1  do. 


Statement  ofiheforetqfthe  British  Sqiiadrm, 
Ship  Detroit  1^  gtius  1  oa  pivot  a  nd 

2  howitzers. 

Q,ueen  Charlotte  17  do. 
Schr.  Lady  Prevost  1 3  do. 
Brig  Hunter  10  do. 

Sloop  Little  Belt  3  do. 

Schr.  Chippe way  1  3o.  and  2  swivels. 

G3  guns. 


m 


16 

statement  of  the  force  of  the   United  States 

Squadron* 


Urig  Lawrence 
Niagara 
Caledouia 

Schr.  Ariel 

Scorpion 
Soiners 
Sloop  Trippe 
Schr.  Tigress 
Porcupine 


20^uns 
20  do. 

3  do. 

4  do,  (1  burst  early  In 

the  action) 
2  do. 

2  do.  and  2  swivels 
1  do. 
1  do. 
1  do. 

54  guns. 


H 


•  f  r 


l^st  of  killed  and  wounded  on  board  the  Uni- 
ted States  squadron  under  command  of  O, 
H.  Perry,  Esq.  in  the  action  of  lOlh  Sep- 
tember, 1813,  viz : 

On  hoard  the  Lawrence, 
KILLED. 

John  Brooksy  Limlenant  Marines^ 
Henry  Laub,  Midshipmany 
Christian  Mayhcwy  Qr.  Master, 
James   W.  AUen^  seaman^ 
Joseph  Kennedy^        do, 

John  C,  Kelly,  private  in  the R€gt, 

John  Smith,  seaman, 
William  Cranston,  o.  s. 
Andrew  Michael,  seaman, 
John  Hiffnian,  o,  seaman. 


it        I 


<r  • 


nited  States 


irst  early  in 
3  action) 

I  swivels 


rd  the  Uni- 
mand  of  O, 
'  10th  Sep- 


-  RfgL 


Charles  Pohig^  semndn^ 
Nelson  Peters,    do. 
Jamejs  Joncs^       do, 
John  Rose  do. 

James  Carty,  sail  maker's  MOte^ 
Thomas  Butler,  seaman, 
Wilson  Mays,  carpentcr'^S  nutiti 
James  Urown^  seaman, 
Ethelred  Sykes,  landsman, 
Philip  Starpley,  corporal  marines, 
Jesse  Harland,  private, 
Ahner  Williams,  </o.— ^22. 

WOUNDED. 

John  J.Yarnall,  Istlimt.  slightly, 
Vulanev  Forrest,  2d    d(*.        do. 
Wm.  Ni  Taylor,  sailing  masttr  dtr, 
Samuel  Hambleton,  purser,  settrely, 
Thomas  Claxton,  midshipman,  do.  since  dt^d, 
.Augustus  Swartwout,    do.        do. 
Jonas  Stone,  carpenter,  slightly, 
Wm.  C.  Keen,  master  at  arms,  slightly, 
Francis  Mason^  qr.  master,  ievetdy, 
John  Newen,'    m.    do,        d<r. 
Joseph  Lewis,   do.    do.  slightly, 
Esekiel  Fowler,  do.    do:    do, 
John  E.  Brown,  qr.  gunner,  setetihf,    ^" 
Wm.  Johnson,  boatswain's  mate,  s€i>ere^, 
James  Helari,        do.  slightly, 
George  Cornell,  carpentcr'^s  mate,  slightly, 
Thomas  Hammond,  armourer,        ao. 
Wm.  ^ompson,  searim^  se^erd% 
George  Vartinm,  da,        air. 

James  Moses^,  .  do,        do. 

Willidm  Roe,  d».        do, 

Joseph  Denning,  do.        do. 

William  Daring,  do.       do. 

John  Clay,  dok        rf»^ 

Stephen  Fairfield,  do.        do. 

George  Williams,  do.        do. 

b2 


«f 


<r  • 


■■'■*■ 


■"rPWIIin^ 


18 


I 


tjannon  Huse,.  dit.        db» 

James  JFaddingion,        do.        do, 
John  Burdeen.,  do..        do» 

John  Bitmham,  do.        do. 

Andrew  Mattisont  do.        do, 

Jeremiah  Easterbrooke,  o.  s.      do. 
Henry  Schroeder^ 
Benoni  Price, 
Thomas  Robinson^ 
Peter  Kinsley, 

Nathan  Chapman^ 

Thomas  Hiu, 

Bnmey  McClatr, 
William  Dawsom, 

Westerly  Johnson^ 

Samuel  Spywood^ 

Robe  t  Hill, 

Francis  Cummings, 

Thonas  Reed, 

Charles  Vanifyke, 

William  Simpson, 

Jesse  Williams, 

James  Harelleyy 

James  Bird, 

Wm.  Bumetif 

Wm.  Baggs, 

i)avid  Christie, 

Henry  Vampool^ 

Thomas  Tr^, 

Elijah  Parttn, 

John  Adams, 

Charles  Harrington^ 

Wm.  B.  Perkins, 

Nathaniel  Wade, 

Newport  Hazsard 

^On  the  morning  of  the  attion  the  sick  list  of  the 
fen^j  contained  thirty-^me  unfit  for  ^tty.} 


do. 

do. 

do. 

do. 

,        do. 

do. 

do. 

do. 

do. 

dp. 

0.  s. 

do. 

o.s. 

do. 

8. 

do. 

O.S. 

do. 

O.S. 

do. 

s. 

slightly, 

,      0.  s. 

severely,. 

do. 

dp. 

do. 

dp. 

dp.. 

A. 

dd. 

do. 

do. 

slighthj^ 

marine, 

severely. 

dp. 

dp. 

do. 

dp., 

dti. 

do. 

dp. 

dp. 

len^kman 

dp. 

dp. 

dP. 

do. 

dp. 

I,      ih. 

da. 

do. 

dp. 

boy. 

severely. 

do. 

slightly— 6\ 

19 


On  board  the  Niagara, 
KILLED. 

peter  Morel,  seaman^ 
Isaac  Hordy,  o.  *.— 2. 

WOUNDED. 

John  J.  Edwards^  lieuimaiatt 
John  C.  Cummings,  midshiptnan, 
Edward  Martin,  seaman, ) 
Wm.  Davis,  o.  s,  \  since  dea^^ 

Joshua  Trapnill, marine,) 
Ronvell  Hall,  o.  s, 
George  Platty  s^ 
Elias  fViley,  o.  ». 
Henry  Davidson,  *^ 
John  M.  Stribuck,  o,  &. 
John  Freeman  o.  s. 
James  Lansford,  s. 
Thomas  Wilscn,  s, 
Charles  Davidson,  ff, 
JJaniel  Bennet,  s. 
John  Fiiton,  boatswain^s  mate. 
Sergeant  Mason,  marine. 
Corporal  Scott, 
Thomas  Miller, 
John  Rumas, 
Geo,  M'^Manomyi 
Geo.  Scpffield, 
Samuel  Cochran, 


do. 
do, 
do,, 
do, 
do, 
do,— 2^ 


On  hoard  the  Caledoma;^ 
WOUNDED. 

James  Artus,     ) 

Isaac  Perkins,   ^  slightly,-^ 

James  Philips,  > 


.  ) 


a 


V 


\ 


I   ■   ' 


On  board  ike  \Som€r^, 
WOUNDED. 

Charles  Ordecn, 
Godfrey  Bon}nmfi,'—2^ 

On  board  the  Ariel, 
KILLED. 

John  White^  boatswain's  mate—1, 

WOUNDED. 

William  Sloss,  o.  s.  slightly^ . 
Robert  Wilson^  s.  do. 

John  Lucas,  landsmatif   do. — 3. 

On  board  the  Trippe, 
WOUNDfiD. 

Isaac  OrccHy  soldier,  iiHh  rcgt  badly, 
John  Niks,        do.    Mth,        slightly 

On  board  the  Porcupine,  none  killed  of 
Wounded. 

On  board  the  Scorpi&n, 
KILLED. 

John  Clark,  midshipman,  * 
John  Sylhamaimr,  landsman. — 2. 

On  board  the     Tigress,  none  killed  or 
wounded. 

Recapit'idakion, 

(Two  days  previous  to  the  action,  fif^-^iVM  men  mfit 
for  service  in  the  small  vessels.  J 


II 


I 


21 

KilUd,    Woundedy    Total, 


IjOwreneei 

22 

61 

83 

Niagara, 
Caledonia 

2 

25 
3 

27 
3 

Sotmrs 
Atul 

1 

2 
3 

2 

4 

Trippe 
Sovrjno» 

2 

2 

2 

21 


"W 


123. 


,(,f<-\iS'''  -i^^^--***  --■r.«a(S«SM» 


I  •'-  i 


Military  Anecdotes. 

The  celebrated  aboriginal  wamor,  TeciiuM 
sell,*  was  ,n  the  44th  year  of  his  ajre,  when  hi 
Ml  a  the  battle  of  \he  Thames.  '  He  was  of 
the  Shawanuoe  tribe,  five  feet  ten  huhe.  high 
fe?^.[r  wK-  1"!:  ^«^tlvity  and  the  endurance  of 
fatigue,  which  he  was  capable  of  sustaining  in! 
a  very  extraordinary  degree.    His  carrifge' 
was  erect  and  lofty-his  motions  quick-hfs 
ej'es  penetrating-his  visage  stern    with  ani 
a  r  of  hauteur  in  his    countenance,  whichi 
arose  from  an  elevated  pride  of  soul-it  did| 
not  leave  him  even  in  death.     His  eloquence  I 
was  nervous,  concise,  impressive,  figurative  ^ 
and  sarcastic,  being  of  a  tacitu^    i?abi7of| 
speech,  his  words  were  few  but  alwav  to  f  le 
purpose.    His  dress  was  plain— he  was  never! 
known  to  indulge  in  the  gawdy  decoration  of  I 
his  person,  which  is  the  general  practice  of  the  ' 
Ef"''  ,»«,^»'-«'  on  the  day  of  his  death  a 
^^  Jee^skm  coat  and  pantaloons.    It  is 
saw  -«=  i.^  could  readand  write  correctly;  of 
this  i-owever,  I  am  doubtful,  as  he  was  the 
irreconcilable  enemy  to  civilization,  of  course 
wouldnot  be  apt  to  relish  our  arts.    He  was 

I  sound  of  <ft,sucha3  Chilicothe,  Sciothe,  &c.    ^ 


X 


s. 


23 


tes. 

i-ior,  Teem  11 
age,  when}i( 
.  lie  was  ol 
I  inched  high, 

endurance  of 
sustaining  in 
His  carriage 
1  quick— his 
jrn,  with  an 
ance,  which 
soul— it  did 
is  eloquence 
J,  figurative 
rn    liabit  of 
way. 9  to  t;ie 
e  was  never 
ecoration  of 
ictice  of  the 
r  his  death  a 
oons.     It  is 
)rf ectly ;  of 
he  was  the 
n,  of  course 
s.    If  e  was 

€.     Tlcre  are 
be  lingi^jnt- 


evii^ry  res|iect  a  Savage,  the  greatest,  por- 
ips,  nince  tht  days  of  Pontiac.     His  ruling 

i:\ini  *  I  w :>r,  v*^as,  to  take  no  prisonirH,  aiul 

strictly  rlhe red  to  the  sanguinary  purjms- 

o<*  his  soul-^he  neither  gave  nor  accepted 

larters.       Yet,   paradoxical    as     it    may 

\e\r\y  to  tlie  prisoners  made  by  other  tribes, 

was  attentive  and  humane.     Nay,  in  one 

[stance,  lie  is  said,  to  have  buried  his  toma- 

Lwk  in  the  head  of  a  Chippeway  cliief,  whom 

found  actively  engaged  in   massacre ing 

nne  of  Dudley's  midii,  after  they  had  been 

lade  prisoners  by  the  British  and  Indians, — 

had  long  Ijeen  a  favorite  project  of  this  as- 
piring chief  to  unite  tlie  northern,  western  and 

>utliern  Indianji,  for  ^he  purpose  of  regaining 
lieir  country  as  far  as  the  Ohio.  Whether 
his  grand  idea  originated  in  his  own,  or  his 
)i  other's  mind,  or  was  suggested  by  tiie  Bri- 
iish,  is  not  known — but  this  much  is  certain, 
|ie  cherished  the  plan  with  enthusiasm,  and 
u.ially  visited  the  €reek  Indians,  to  prevail 
►n  them  to  join  in  t lie  undertaking.  He  was 
dways  opposed  to  the  sale  of  the  Indian  lands. 

-In  a  council  at  Vincennes,  in  1810,  he  was 
iid  equal  to  the  insidious  arts  of  a  diplo- 

latist.  In  one  of  his  speeches  he  pronounced 
general  Harrison  a  liar.    He  has  been  in  al- 

lost^^very  battle  with  ihe  Americans  from 
the  time  of  Hamper's  defeat  to  that  of  the 
Tliames,  He  has  been  several  times  wound- 
id,  and  always  sought  the  hottest  of  the  fire. 
^  few  minutes  belore  he  received  the  fetal 


'*,■> 


'••Tlfc. 


-'^^afc* 


■rJS-'^ 


# 


Si. 


SK4 

fore  the  treaty  oi  >'^t " Vp  was  reputed  one 
of  the  boldest  f  **'^;"t'cky,hewaspecullar- 
ly  active  in  ^^^       Jd  careymg  oft  their 
leaning  the  Pa?f  S  Cuent  incursions  in- 
property      *^V"4hewouW  invariably  mur- 
io  Kentucky,  wterete^^^^  ^.^^^         3I 

der  some  of  *e  f  tUe'san  K.^^^^  eluded 
horses  laden  with  P»J;^i  passed  would 
pursuit,  and  >vhent«^j,^X*  P„,i„g  passion 
retire  to  the  ^^n  Xrv-he  was  careles  of 
seen.s  to  "f  iSfSunderings  and  sub- 
wealth,  and  although  his  J"  »  ^  ^^^^^^  ^^^ 

preserved  ^t^  to^m  ^^^^  ^^^  ^    ^^ed 

i,„  the  5th  ?f,2l5v  the  officers  and  soldiers 
with  great  "rterest  ^y  tn        ^^  ^.^^  ^j„,^ 

of  Hamson  s  f/P/-    "    ,vas  sulficiently  re- 
-     Ae  identity  of  his  pe^^on  w  ^^^  ^^.^ 

tatotyoftodfj-    Ther^  ^^^^^^^ 
cious  pleasure,  "J- J,  TL^^Vje  contour  of  his 
pression,  i"  5^°"^^™P'Sic  even  iu  death, 
features,  which  7*^,  disgraced  themselves 
lomeofthepntv^kiansdis^^^^^ 

Ahundredinstance^ofthe  daring  valor  of 


,.iae^p^-^ 


25 

the  Kentiickians  might  be  cited.  On  oui 
march  from  Maiden  to  Sandwich,  a  volunteer 
in  the  flank  guard,  discovered  an  Indian  at  the 
distance  of  200  yards,  in  the  act  of  levelling 
his  rifle  at  our  men;  he  instantly  left  the 
ranks,  made  for  the  Indian  and  received  his 
fire— -the  Indian  retreated,  but  was  closely 
pursued  by  the  volunteer,  who  soon  gained  on 
his  foe ;  he  fired  and  brought  him  to  the  ground 
—but  the  Indian  had  previously  re-loaded  his 
piece,  and  in  his  turn  fired  on  the  volunter, 
who  received  the  contents  in  his  leg — he  was 
at  this  time  half  a  mile  from  his  comrades — 
but  did  not  retreat  till  he  had  dispatched  the 
woimded  Indian  and  secured  his  scalp,  which 
he  bore  in  triumph  to  his  company.  The 
danger  of  an  ambush  probably  never  occurred 
to  his  mind. 

There  were  two  sons  of  Lieut.  Col.  James 
Johnson,  in  the  battle  of  the  Thames ;  the 
eldest  but  16— the  other  U  years  of  age.— 
Such  was  the  ardor  of  these  young  Spartans, 
that  the  officers  had  frequently  to  check  their 
impetuosity.  They  were  both  mounted  and 
often  foremost  in  pursuit. 

Capt.  Ellison,  of  the  mounted  men,  received 
several  rifle  balls  in  his  clothes  and  saddle — 
When  we  broke  through  the  British  ranks,  a 
soldier  of  the  41st  attempted  to  fix  his  bay- 
onet— at  one  stroke  of  his  sabre,  captain 
Ellison    severed     his    head    and    brougUt 

C 


^  ji 


1^'  ^?* 


26 

V,tn  to  the  ground  •.  a  second  made  a  ski  w  oj 

^Jance  and  shared  the  same  fate.    Shortly 

'ftlnvarfslhe  captahi  ledhis  company  agamst 

Kb^S^nis'orS^'S  attempted  a  blow 
ShW  tomahawk.    The  sabre  again  prevail^ 
Sand  the  Indian  lost  his  scalp. 

A  *  iV,P  -i<!saull  of  fort  Stephenson,  a  boy  of 
At  the  assauii  m       ,   ^t'of  the  fire,  raised 

U  y^-^'^'tlfCScvXi^  defiance  of  the 
'"^.r'^cantnCS^^^  it  and  tore  it 
f3i;  body  and  the  poor  fellow  Burvired 

but  a  few  moments* 

\  soldier  was  at  the  same  time  severely 

Sin:nfrSKa'gun:thathemigW 
fire  on  the  enemy. 

rpup  .!ck  of  the  san-ison  caught  the  spirit 
„niSr  comrades,  and  actually  craw  ed  to  the 
lS.wtere  they  assisted  to  load  the  super- 
Serary  pieces  for  the  men  to  fire. 

For  the  elorious  defence  of  the  place,  the 
,  J    If  rh  licotlie  presented  major  Croghan 


27 

salf  at  Tippecanoe  ami  fort  Meigs.    His  pro. 
motion  haTbeen  rapid,  but  gradual. 

There  are  three  other  officers,  who,  equal- 
ly withmaior  Croghan,  deserve  Pja'^e  fo'^^he 
mrt  thev  took  in  the  defence  of  the  toit.— 
&n  the  major  asked  them  if  they  were  wil^ 
linfto  defend  the  fort,  they  unanimously  an- 
Sfred"  VEs!  we  will  perish  sooner  than  sur- 
render "  The  names  of  these  brave  men  are 
Tpt  .T:Bunter,lieut.Benj.  Johnson,(nsphew 

1x1  col  11.  M.  Johnson)  and  ensign  bbipp.— 
The  zeal  and  industry  of  these  men  cannot 
be  surpassed.  I  regrit  that  I  have  Bot  room 
to  particularize  more  instances  of  their  brave- 
jy  and  good  conduct. 

At  the  battle  of  Brownstown.  an  officer  ob- 
served  several    Indian    arrows  to  stnke  the 
eround  near  his  feet,  in  a  pei-pendicular  di^ 
fection.     The  circumstance  excited  his  curi- 
oitv  and  on  looking  up    to  discover   from 
£cethey   came,  tie  perceived  an  M^^^^ 
nerched    on   a  tree    thirty    feet    trom  the 
Cund,  and  but  a  few  paces  in  advance-our 
Sen  instantly  levelled  their  pieces   and  the 
fellow  came  tumbling  down  lite  a  dead  bear. 
He  had  provided  himself  with  a  fawn  skui 
stuffed  with  arrows,  many  of  which  he  had 
dexterously  discharged  at  our  troops. 

There  were  several  Indians  in  the  battle  of 
the  Thames,  who  used  bows  and  arrows— m 


m.' 


is , 

m 


M 

i 

m 


tl! 


2i 

one  instance,  one  of  our  men  was  mortally 
wounded  by  an  arrow. 

At  the  skirmish  near  the  mouth  of  the 
Thames,  an  Indinn  squaw  was  mortally  wound- 
ed ;  she  was  left  to  shift  for  herself— her  little 
girl,  six  years  old,  remained  with  her.  Gii 
the  return  of  the  army  from  the  Moravian 
town,  they  were  found  in  the  woods,  at  the  dis- 
tance of  half  a  mile  from  where  she  was 
wounded ;  to  appearance  she  had  been  dead 
three  days—the  girl  was  still  living.  When 
our  men  approached  the  spot,  she  instantly 
raised  her  hands  and  distinctly  articulated 
*^  dontr  She  was  taken  to  Detroit,  where  her 
fate  and  sprightliness  excited  universal  inter- 
est. An  officer  of  governor  Shelby's  corps 
took  her  to  Kentucky  with  the  humane  and 
honorable  intention  of  adopting  her  in  his 
fam-ly,  and  of  giving  her  an  education. 

In  the  autumn  of  J  81 2,  general  Harrison 
left  the  army  for  a  few  weeks,  and  repaired  to 
Chilicothe,  on  business.  The  citizens  invited 
him  to  a  public  dinner;  he  declined  the  invi- 
tation, observing,  very  justly,  that  it  did  not 
become  him  to  be  banqueting  at  sumptuous 
entertainments,  while  his  men  were  exposed 
to  the  rigors  of  the  season,  enduring  the  fa- 
tigues of  military  duty,  and  subsisting  on  ihe 
coarsest  food. 

Ill  tlite  first  campaign  gen,  Harrison  wore  a 


H 


martally 


h  of  the 
ly  wound- 
-her  little 
her.  Gji 
Moravian 
at  the  dis- 

she  was 
)een  dead 
;,    When 

instantly 
tliculated 
vhere  her 
sal  inter- 
)y's  corps 
nane  and 
er  in  his 


3n. 

Harrison 
^paired  to 
[IS  invited 

the  invi- 
it  did  not 
nnptuous 

exposed 
^  the  fa- 
ig  onlhe 


n  wore  u 


•29 

^untino;  shirt;  conversed  freely  with  the  pri- 
vies   and  appealed  entirely  free  from  mil- 
l^Cteur^ In  the  second  he  was  quite  an 
altered  personage.    He  became  more  distant 
^nd  reserved.   I^Ie  even  went  so  farm    ne  of 
Ms  harrangues,  as  to   order  the   oftic.rsto 
"  observe   a  gieater  distance  towards  then 
men,"  and  ad^'dedthat  he  should  *;hold  them 
responsible  for  the  consequences.       We^a^- 
however,  an  ingeniotfe  salvo  at  hand,  for,  m  the 
Cime  speech,  h^  admitted  that  there  were  m 
rrani,  men  betterqualified  to  command 
than  their  officers-"  me^,'    said  he,  "with 
whose  conversation  I   am  charmed,  and  tor 
whose  talents  and  characters  I  have  the  highest  • 
respect.'* 

Harrison  i:^  apparently  about  45  years  ot 
ase  ;  five  feet  eleven  inc  hes  high,  slender  madr, 
-::of  a  sani^mine,  impatient  countenance-lm 
eyes  are  black,  ardent  and  penetratmg--his 
hair  black.    He  has  the  peculiar  faculty  oi 
seeing  every  thing  within  the  compass  of  hi3 
view,  without  appearin."-  to  notice  any  thing 
but  the  immediate  object  of  h;s  attention.  He 
possesses  a  singular  volubility  of  speech-his 
eloquence  is  nervous   and  persuasive,     ^o 
S-eneral  ever  possessed  a  happier  voice   lor 
command.    He  is  not  without  enemies,  yet 
few  men  possess  the   art  of  popularih/ in  m 
equal  degree.    If  he  knew  the  art  of  heallh  as 
^vell,  he  might  be  pronounced  a  great  general, 
His  personal  courage  is  unquesljon^bkr 

c2 


-^3^ 


'n 


30 

Gens.  Cass  and  M' Artlnir  ^vere  very  popu 
iarin  the  amiy;  they  were  at  once  beloved 
and  lespected.  I  have  seen  M* Arthur  with  his 
own  han^Jslift  a  flour  barrel  from  a  baggage 
waggon,  (in  order  to  expedite  the  issue  of 
rations)— secure  a  boatthat  was  about  to  get' 
adrift— carry  rails  and  poles  to  repair  bridges. 
The  effect  was  excellent :  the  men,  cheered 
with  the  soiuid  of  "  come  boys,"  moved  to 
their  duty  with  alacrity.  The  imperative 
«  GO,"  destroys  their  zeal  and  causes  them  to  | 
move  like  oxen,  long  inured  to  toil. 

At  the  second  siege  of  fort  Meigs,  the  In- 
dians attempted  to  play  ofi*  a  ruse  de  guerre 
upon  the  garrison.  They  commenced  a  sham 
fight  in  the  woods,  about  half  a  mile  from  the 
fort,  in  the  direction  of  Lower  Sandusky. 
The  fire  was  kept  up  with  great  warmth  for 
some  time,  witli  a  view  to  induce  the  Ameri- 
cans to  believe  that  a  rehiforcement  from  San- 
dusky was  endeavoring  to  relieve  them.  The 
men  in  the  garrison  were  anxious  to  sally  out 
to  assist  their  supposed  friends,  but  gen.  Clay^ 
was  not  to  be  deceived  by  stratagem. 

The  horrible  ceremonial  of  burning  prison- 
ers, was  twice  celebrated  by  the  Indians,  sooa 
after  the  attack  on  fort  Stephenson. 

Soon  after  the  friendly  Indians  joined  Har^ 
risoi^  ifl  Angust,  1813,  they  performed  the 
war  dance,  to  the  no  ^mall  diversion  of  the 


t 


31 


ery  popu     t 
ce  beloved 
iir  with  his  | 
a  baggage/ 
le  issue  of 
)oiit  to  get 
lir  bridges, 
n,  cheered 
moved  to 
imperative 
3s  them  to 
I. 

the  In- 


army.    As  Carver  describes  this  custom  very 
justly,  I  will  adopt  his  description. 

«  It  is  performed  amidst  a  circle  of  the 
warriors ;  a  chief  generally   begins  it,    who 
moves  from  the  right  to  the  left,  singing  at  tlie 
same  time  both  his  own  exploits,  and  those  of 
his  ancesters.    AViien  he  has  concluded  his  ac- 
count of  any  memorable   action,  he  gives  a 
violent  blow  with  his  war  club,  against  a  post 
that  is  fixed  in  the  ground,  near  tlie  centre  of 
the  assembly  for  this   purpose.     Everyone 
dances  in  his* turn,  a  idrecapifulatesthe  wond- 
rous deeds  of  his  fiimily,  till  they  all  at  last 
join   in  the  dance.     Then  it  becomes  truly 
alarming  to  any    stranger  that  hapens  to  be 
among  them,  ns  they  throw  themselves  into 
every  horrible  and  terrifying  posture  that  can 
be  imagined,  rehearsing  at  the  same  time  the 
parts  they  expect  to  act  against  their  enemies 
in  the  field.     During  this  they  hold  their  sharp 
knives  in  their  hands,  with  which,  as  they 
whirl  about,  they  are  every  moment  in  danger 
of  cutting  each  other's  throats  ;  and  did  they 
not  shun  tlie  threatened  mischief  with  incon- 
ceivable dexterity,  it  could  not  be  avoided. 
By  th^se  motions  they  intend  to  represent  the 
manner  in  which  they  kill,  scalp,  and  take  their 
prisoners.    To  heighten  the  scene,  they  set 
up  the  same  hideous  yells,  cries,  and  war- 
whoops  they  use  in  time  of  action :  so  that  it 
is  impossible  to  consider  them  in  any  other 
light  than  ae  an  assembly  of  demons'' 


m 


i&  .1 


w 


'Hi 


Abuses  in  the  Army. 

If  it  be  a  fact,  that  in  the  armies  of  the  U; 
States,  DISEASE  kills  three  io  where  the  enemy 
does  one;  the  evil  claims  the  fompt  and  se- 
rious  attention  of  government,  and  ousht  t<^ 
be  remedied.    It  is  a  melancholy  fact  ! 

I  will  premi^e,  in  the  first  place,  that  ouv 
northern  frontier,  from  the  French  Mills  to 
Detroit,  is,  ui  certain  points,  and  especially  at 
every  military  station,  extremely  unhealthy. 
The  diseases  incident  to  the  c/ima/^,  are  agues 
and  fevers  of  different  kinds.  The  BriUsli 
side  of  the  lakes  is  as  bad,  or  woi-se. 

I  will  briefly  state  what  I  have  seeriy  and 
with  no  other  view  than  to  aid  in  the  correction 
of  the  evil. 

I  last  summer  visited  the  northern  frontier, 
volunteered  in  the  service,  as  a  private,  to  asr. 
certain  by  experience  and  ocular  scrutiny  the 
police  of  our  camps  and  the  condition  of  the 
sick. 

The  science  of  health  was  no  part  of  thfi 
creneral's  study ;  other  cares  engrossed  his 
thoughts.    Hy geia  and  Mars  were  not  lo  h*^b- 


In 

Jhe 

est. 
:j8olic 

#ven 


'.  tieg 


2:    # 


i) 


^ 


►f  the  U; 

le  enemy 

>t  and  se- 

ought  i(^ 

"ACT ! 

tliat  ouv, 
Mills  to 
eciajly  at 
unheallhy, 
are  a  ffiies 
[le  British 


seeUy  and 
correctioit 


n  frontier^ 
vate,  to  as^ 
^rutiny  the 
Lion  of  the 


Its  of  intercourse.  The  stench  of  the  canip* 
was  insupportable  ;  men  sickened  and  died  in 
their  tentri.  Tlie  little  medical  aid  they  re- 
ceived was  administered  in  most  cases  by 
downright  quacks.  At  Detroit,  several  hous- 
38  were  occupied  for  the  benefit  of  the  rick  ; 
iiey  were  dignified  with  the  name  of  hospitals! 
The  smell  of  the  rooms  was  enough  to  make 

well  man  sick  in  five  minutes.  It  was  as 
liiuch  as  one's  life  was  woilh  to  enter  them ; 

et  the  sick  were  sent  there  to  recover  their 

calth!  Poor  fellows! 


I 


In  an  army,  death  soon  loses  its  terrors. — 
he  loss  of  a  soldier  excites  very  little  inter- 
est.    The  surgeons  and  doctors  are  not  very 
solicitous  to  evince  their  professional  ekill^ 
ven  if  they  chance  to  possess  it. 

The  officers  fared  very  little  better.  Even 
col.  Johnson  suffered  beyond  measure,  in  hig 
passage  from  the  Moravian  town  to  Sandusky. 
t)ne  of  governor  Shelby's  volunteers  was  shot 
Ihrough  the  neck :  ten  days  afterwards  his 
wound  had  not  been  dressed ;  his  situation^ 
jivas  distressing.  We  left  him  at  Portage ; 
Ifvhether  he  lived  or  died  I  know  not.  He  was 
H  promising  young  man  and  bore  his  pains  with 
the  greatest  fortitude. 

part  of  thfi  |i  T1h3  disease  most  fatal  in  the  army,  is  th^* 
rrossed  his  %ix,  or  camp  distemper,  malignant  and  iD<:;u- 
Bot  io  h^b-   iiabie  in  most  eagas,  when  opposed  by  inipiri* 


9^" 


ff 


i  f;. 


1^ 


'   )  . 


•5S 


.al i<rnorance  but  which  every  old  woman i& 
the  cmmti y  would  cure  in  thro-  days,  with  a 
Il«.octbn  of  milk,  pine  bark  and  spikenard 
root. 
I  went  frequently  to  the  burying  grounds 

MHe  Creek,  and  by  ascertain «.g  the  osssus. 
tained  by  different  coi-ps,  I  was  enabled  to 
fonn  a  pretty  correct  estimate  of  the  number 
of  deati  by  sickness.  The  aggregate  Wjjs 
alarming, 

Capt.  M'Clelland's  company  of  12  month's 
volunteers,  from  Fayette  county,  1  ennsylva- 
nia  a  very  patriotic  corps,  and  the  one  to 
which  I  was  attached,  left  Pittsburg  on  the  5th 
Tf  October,  1812,  fortrfire  strong,     lliey 

ertv.  They  were  discharged  at  Detioit  last 
October  and  had  lost^/<««^of  thcH-  nmnher-^ 
twelve,  by  sickness-and  three,  killed  m  b»t- 
Ue ;  and  it  was  do,ibtful  whether  sevei-al  oth. 
ers,  then  sick,  would  ever  reach  home. 

Almost  every  other  coi-ps  in  the  army,  that 
ha^been  as  long  in  service,  suffered  in  the 
Sme  ratio       the    Chilicothe   Guards,  the 
?S*uS  Blues,  Pay/sMar^le|a^^^ 
rar<|'^  cavalry,  Hopkms'  United  States  dia- 


&8 

Aoohs.  Puthuff's  and  Kbling's  infantry,  the 
Cte^sburWi  volunteers,  all  of  Ball's  legion, 
a^i  vtoerespeclive  losses    I  had  the  mean, 
'of  correctly  ascertaimng,  lost  nearly  every 
Ji.,r,l  man     The  Petei-sbur£;h  volunteers,  as 
^„I  a  company  as  ever  trod  the  eartli-men 
i„"tteprh.nnd  vigor  of  life    the  flower  of 
Petersbursh,  left  home  101  strong.     At  the 
uS- their  discharge,  which  was  inOctober^^ 
I8T3  they  had  lost  27  of  their  number,  22  ol 
twhom  perished  by  disease;  several  more  re- 
Ced    seriously    indisposed.      I  question 
Sher  more  than  70  of  these  brave  fellows 
will  ever  see  Petersburgh  again.    »»ch.was 
their  patriotic  ardor,  that  tliey  left  businese 
^'liich  was  lucrative-their  homes  the  seat  of 
elegance  and   ease-their    friends,  parents, 
wives,  and  children— marched  more  than  one 
tlrousand  miles  to  encounter  the  inclemency 
«f  the  seasons— the  toils  and  danger  of  war— 
the  honors  of  disease,  U>  serve  their  counlry, 
which  they  most  faithfully  peTforoied.    I  will 
not  attempt  to  describe  my  feehngs,  when  1 
saw  such  men  borne  by  their  comrades  to  a 
rude  and  solitary  grave. 

From  what  I  have  heard  and  seen,  I  am  in- 
duced to  believe  that  the  loss  by  disease,  sus- 
tained by  the  northern  army,  is  in  the  same 
nroportion.  It  will  follow  then,  as  a  necessa- 
ry consequence^  that  the  recruiting  serVK;e 
must  be  briskly  pushed  to  fill  the  vacancies  in 
^tbe  ranks  occaBioned  by  sickness,  to  say  m- 


I 


t^ 


»      ! 


II 


till 


i:'i 


1^ 


!  »> 


'36 

thing  of  losses  by  the  sword,  to  wliich  all  ai^ 
mies  are  subject. 

The  eneimy  have  been  equally  unfortuna^ 
in  preseiTing  tne  health  of  their  troops,  as  tlie 

f  raves  of  Maiden  and  Burlington  will  attest. 
Vehave  the  official  avowal  of  sir  George  Pre- 
vost,  that  disease  had  made  an  alarming  pro- 
<rress  in  the  English  army  in  (Canada.  In  his 
fetter  to  sir  J.  L.  Yeo,of  September  19, 1813, 
he  says :  "  I'o  the  local  disadvantages  of  the 
positions  occupied  by  our  army,  have  unhap- 
pily been  added  disease  and  desertion,  to  a 
dei>;ree  calling  for  hnmediate  remedy."  The 
:Pritish  central  army  lost  nearly  500  men  by 
sickness,  in  the  months  of  August,  September 
and  October  of  last  year. 

I  have  already  said  that  there  were  local 
situations  on  both  sides  the  lakes  extremely 
unhealthy.  Yet  I  will  contend  that  there  ex- 
ists no  physical  necessity  for  the  mortality  ex- 
perienced by  the  troops  of  both  nations — that 
the  cause  is  less  in  nature  than  in  management^ 
as  I  will  prove  by  reference  to  a  few  facts. 

The  fatigues  of  surveying  are  as  great  as 
those  of  military  service,  except  on  particu- 
lar occasions.  In  1798,  the  Holland  Compa- 
ny surveyed  their  purchase  (lying  on  a  part 
of  lake  Ontario,  Niagara  river,  and  a  part  of 
lake  Erie)  into  townships.  Joseph  Ellicott, 
theo  of  Philadelphia,  was  engaged  to  supenn- 


•i  :■   . 


itwd  tlie  suv\%.  About  three  hundmhneu  n  ere 
f3mployed  i.t  the  work  froiti  May  till  Decern- 
?}er ;  hix  oi  eight  of  the  liands  employed  in 
the  traver>je  of  Chat  aqua  lake  and  Cataragjus 
river,  took  the  ague  and  fever;  but  not  oaic 
of  the  whole  three  hundred  died— they  enjoy- 
ed the  best  possible  state  of  health.  '  Tlieir 
livini(  was  bread,  pork  and  chocolate.    In  the 
ftuuimersof  1799  and  1«00,  about  the  same 
numl>ei'  of  men  were  employed  in  surveying 
the  townships  into  lots,  and  they  enjoyed  the 
same  de^'ee  of  health.    In  the  surveying'of 
the  lands  of  New-Connecticut  and  the  western 
parts  of  Pennsylvania  where  I  was  personally 
employed,  no  instance  of  death,  by  sickness, 
incurred.    Of  the  23  persons,  who  accdihpa- 
nied  capts.  l^ewis  and  Clark,  from  St.  Louis  td 
the  Paciftc  Ocean,  only  one  died.     They*  werd 
more  than  two  years  absent — their  sutlerin^ 
are  well  known.  ««        - 

,  Pol.,MM^on's corps  of  m^uut^d  m^jn* ajtalJl 
times  1000  strong,  traversed  the. Indiana  an4» 
Michigan  territories  in  quest  of  the  eneiiiy-j 
passed  into  Canada  to  the  Moraviau  toivki  anij} 
returned  to  Detroit.  They  had  been  six 
months  in  service  and  lost  only  three  men  by  sick- 
ness. They  were  always  on  the  alert,  and 
rarely  breathed  the  pestiferous  air  of  the 
ctimp.  The  French  army  of  E^ypt,  of  40,000 
men,  always  on  the  move,  and  m  a  warm  and 
unwholesome  climate,  did  not  suffer  as  umch 
by  sickness  in  two  years,  as  we  have  Ipst  at 

D 


=x;Tnr^.„ 


•.m:f^f 


W 


m 


k 


l 


^38 


fiiclS 


.onie   particular  posts  in  one.  ;Ti)^^:e  fiic 
are  of  immense  importance  to  the  Ainencan 
"ron,r.^aresu.^^^^^^       of  the  n.ost  ample 

prpoft 

Tlie  officers  of  the  American  army  are  gcr.-^ 
.^3lv  DO  83«^cl  of  huninnity,  and  indulgent 
f4l,!^^?«en  there  is  here  and  there  an  ep- 
^S^d'^^cS^-'eBtitute.fft^i.^- 
he  ice  of  Spitsbergen  is  of  heat,  but  even 
these  are  notable  to  kill  men  by  mere  dnit^t 
?l*v  if  a  nroDercamp  discipline  wasadopt- 
^"SfnS     The'ratic^.sofo«r.rmy 

are  good. 

Havins  briefly  pointed  out  Ihe  eyii,  I  leave 
lhe*^tocovery  and  application  of  the  remedy* 
ta  tte  pr«p^autho.^'ies-to  congress  and  tl* 

war  department. 

j&r  general,  witU  a^""""^ ,      Rubstitute  proper  perBons  in  f 
SbuVpta^t^lVoners  to  epg«ge  .n  «.e  serv  icc  1 


((,,1,,,  lu'i»      ' 


.ifiwriii 


u 


«- 
;* 


ese  faclft 
"Lmerican 
)st  ample 


Y  are  gei> 
indiilger.t 
ire  an  ep- 
Feeling  as^ 
but  even 
ire  dint  of 
^vaaadopt- 
our  army 


viii  I  leave 
le  remedi^^ 

ess  and  tlm 


nilitary  board 
rst  physicians 
that  of  a  ma- 
ig  the  whole 
»per  persons  in 
ice  skilful  auM 
c.f!  ,,.,,, 


-  i. 


•^"'''"I'fheVf  tave  all  Perfonned  long  and 
son  and  otheis,  ^^fj  '       UAvm  country  for 

tedious  ■"^'•^i^;"'^,>t^the  enemy  :  but  their 
the  purpose  «f  ^^^^^^^^  to  the  ex- 

success  has  not  been  t  „„,,ii,dued  and 

The  causes  ^vhicl.  ha^^  ^^^'i}^^^ 
editions  abor^ve  are  o^^^^^^^^^ 

™  •  they  can  disperse  and  collect  atpleas- 
.TwWle  our  troops  are  obliged  to  keep  to- 
^ther  and  to  move  slowly  and  with  the  ut- 
most circumspection,  to  avoid  ambush  and 
Trorke  It  most  generally  happens  that  be- 
fore om-  troops  can^  find  an  enen.y,  their  pro- 
visfonrbecome  exhausted  and  they  are  com. 


4» 


H  •! 


I  111! 


pelled  to  return  home  without  having  accoiM^ 
plislied  any  thing  but  fatiguhig  marches. — 
They  are  then  disbanded  and  the  frontieas  left 
open  to  savage  incursion. 

There  is  a  bill  before  congress,  which  has 
for  its  object  the  better  security  of  the  fron- 
tiers of  the  state  of  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois 
^rritories.  It  proposes  to  appropriate  a  strip 
of  tlie  public  lands,  thirty  miles  wide,  and 
more  than  four  hundred  long,  beginning  near 
the  moutii  of  the  Sandusky  on  lake  Erie,  and 
running  a  little  south  of  a  westerly  course,  till 
it  intersects  the  Missisippi  near  the  mouth  of 
the  Missouri.  The  bill  proposes,  in  sub- 
stance, to  grant  this  extensive  tract  of  public 
land  to  actual  settlers,  in  donations  of  half  a 
feection  (320  acres)  to  every  individual  who 
shall  reside  on  the  samt^,  and  equip  himself 
with  arms  and  accoutrements,  and  hold  him- 
self liable  to  perform  militia  duty  during  the 
war. 

To  say  nothing  of  the  folly  of  giving  away 
nearly  20,000,000  of  acres  of  public  lands, 
there  are  several  other  weighty  objections  to 
the  bill : 

1.  Adventurers  will  flock  to  those  lands, 
who  will  locate  the  best  tracks,  but  will  be 
found  cunning  enough  to  evade  the  most  es- 
sential provisions  of  the  law,  by  feigiiing  ex- 


41 

cuses  of  absence,  whenever  there  is  fighthig  to 
be  done. 

2.  The  settlements  will  necessarily  be  weak 
and  insulated  and  exposed  to  be  cut  off  in  de- 
tail, 

3.  If  the  inhabitants  unite  in  an  expedition 
against  the  Indians,  it  will  prove  fruitless  for 
the  same  reasons  that  those  already  projected 
have  failed. 

4.  Considerable  time  must  elapse  before 
tiny  thing  like  concert  and  organization  can 
exist  in  the  colony, 

5.  A  militia  system  cannot  be  depended 
upon,  as  1^  proved  by  the  events  on  the  Ni- 
a2:ara  frontier. 


^» 


6.  The  line  of  defence  is  improperly  loca- 
ted. 

The  Indians  from  whom  we  are  to  expect 
\he  fijreatest  annqyance  in  future,  are  those  in- 
habiting the  waters  of  lakes  Michigan  and  Hu- 
ron. They  are  under  the  influence  of  Dixon, 
and  are  capable  of  much  mischief  to  our  fron- 
tier settlements, 

'  .    '  ■   (  •  -       ■  •    '    1  ■  ' 

;  .      ',  ,  J.  V  i  )     •  .    ■>  ,.1  .      K.I  .J      ..     \     '.  t  '   1 


I  will  briefly  giv^the  outliiiel^of^a  pMti  fbt 
a  MsLiTARY  Settlement,  which  might,  if  prop- 
erly- encouragesj  and  supported,  oppose  a» 


'.'•SHJfc  »'!«*.*»-.=.'«' 


■, ^,  ,#«—«-•■■■' ■^^ 


fa 


''f  ) 


\V^ 


\%'m 


m 


•HI 


42 

effecltial  barrier  to  Indian  hostUity,  east  of 
the  Missisippi. 

Tl)e  country  bordering  on  the  southern  wa- 
ters of  Take  Michigan  present,  peculiar  ad- 
vantage' for  a  military  settlement  Nature 
hafdifpen"edherbountiesmtha  iberalhand. 

The  clLate  is  mild--t  he  soil  fert'l^-lJ^.J^^; 
Station  uncommotdy  luxuriant.    1  he  ioi  ests 
fit  fiUedwith  game  the  waters  are  covered 
witl  fow  .    Perhaps  there  is  no  section  of  the 
TT  States  more  favorable  for  a  new  settlenieni, 
S"en  if  itweve  to  be  purely  agricultural.- 
Here  Uien,  let  congress  fix  on  the  .«<efor  a 
fort    anlthe  So««rf«rte  of  a  colony.    Tlie 
banks  of  tl.e  river  St.  Joseph  are  probably  the 
most  eligible.    The  next  step  will  be  to  peo- 
Xit  will /;/■/«»  te**'^ ^^^"^  men-500  to 
!ct  al  Mant  V  and  1000  to  te  mounted.    Give 
them  two  or  three  ships  of  war   enough  to 
eat  Md  wear,  and  a  commander  of  established 
reputation;    or  instance  a  .Tohnson,  a  BaU. 
o'aCroghm,.  and  we  should  hear  no  more  ot 
Indian  murders  on  the  frontiers. 

To  make  it  an  ob|ect  for  men  of  enterprize  I 
to  embark  in  the  measure,  allow  evei^  pn- 
vatea bounty  of  8100  in  cash  and  a  half  sec- 
tk.n  L  land .  when  on  active  duty,  pay  them 

'  twelve  dollars  a  month ;  let  the  mounted  men] 
be  tonisbed  with  horses  at  the  public  ex- 
nenr  to  mechanics  give  the  tools^of  their 
S^diveart^i  to  thlcultivat«rs  of  the  soU 


43 


east  of 


hern  wa- 
;uliar  ad- 
Nature 
?ral  hand, 
— the  ve- 
he  forests 
!  covered 
ion  of  the 
sttlenient„ 
ultural. — 
scite  for  a 
►ny.    The 
3bably  the 
be  to  peo- 
!n— 500  to 
,ed.     Give 
enough  to 
established 
)ii,  a  Ball, 
no  more  ot 


fenterprize! 

every  pri- 

l  a  half  sec- 

ounted  men 
;  public  ex- 
ols  of  their  I 

J  of  the  sQi 


ffive  oxen,  cows,  sheep,  hogs  and  the  imple- 
give  oACi »  ,      .  £      j^  -g  xo  be  under^ 

ZnLt^    least  one  third  of  the  settlers 
S  be  men  of  families.    The  horses  and 
catt  e  cc^.ld  be  sent  on  from  Ohio  by  the  way 
of  Fort  Wayne.     The  first  year's  provision* 
could  be  conveyed  by  water  fromErie  Cleve- 
land or  Buttalo.    A  grist  and  savv-mill  woi. Id 
teindispensible  appendages  to  the  establish- 
ment   A  miniser  of  the  gospel  and  two  or 
Zee  good  physicians  would  be  necessary, 
iawye's  could'he  dispensed  wil^h.    >M'.enev- 
er  such  a  force  and  Rich  an  institution  is  dis- 
p  ayed  on  the  southern  shores  of  lake  M.chi- 
fran,  we  shall  have  little  to  fear  from  the  sava- 


ges. 


But  why  locate  this  settlement  on  the 
soulhern  shore  ot  lake  Michigan,  i"^  Prefer- 
ence to  Tippecannos  or  the  banks  of  the  Illi- 
nois '  Because,  there  are  many  powertui  rea- 
sons to  induce  the  prefei#nce.  Uil  m, 

1  The  Patawatamies  and  Winnebagoes^ 
Indians  of  very  bad  faith,  live  on  the  eastern 
and  western  waters  of  this  lake,  and  to  territy 
and  overawe  themit  is  necessary  to  be  m  their 
neigliborhood.  !IH.  v..:^'^^ 

2.  The  shores  of  the  lake  are  adihirably 
calculated  for  cavalry  movements,  and  there 
are  immense  prairies  in  the  direction  of  Fort 
Wayne,  Tippecannoe  and  the  lllmois,  upon 


"^"^'^IwWS^-^ 


44 

which  the  mounted  men  could  act  to  great  ad 
vantage  and  make  rapid  movements ;  so  that 
on  wlmtever  point  tlie  enemy  should  Jionact^ 
an  attack,  the  advantages  of  .  i      MTV  would 
be  altogether  u^  favor  of  this  ):      uon, 

3.  Forage,  stores  and  supplies  of  every 
kind  could  be  sent  safely  by  water  from  Uma 
numerous  settlemerrts  on  lakes  St  CJair  and 
Erie, 

4.  The   flotilla  could  co-operate   with  ef- 
fect, 

^.  There  exists  strong  political  i-easons  foi- 
preferring  the  southern  waters  of  lake  Michi- 
Iran  to  any  other  place,  Lake  Sup>erior  mni/t 
become  the  theatere  of  naval  operation.  The 
north-west  company  will  niake  desperate  ef- 
forts to  retain  the  monopoly  of  the  fur  trade, 

6.  The  Indians  ^'ill  not  remain  between 
two  fires,  or,  in  other  words,  they  would  not 
continue  (in  a  state  of  hostility)  on  the  waters 
of  the  Miami  of  the  Lakes,  Wabash  and  Jill- 
noi8,wbUe expedition^ fromOhio and  Indian- 
na,  could  co-operate  with  the  troops  of  the 
military  settlement. 


7,  Horses  <!Ould  tiot  be  cootenien^  v^iu: 
tered  without  bay,  which  could  only  be  pr(^ 
cured  by  water  from  Detroit,  / 


I 


\ 


real  ad 

so  that 

.Tionac(* 

c  would 


every 
rom  lh(v 
Jair  aiK< 


With  el- 


isons  foi' 
e  Michi- 
rior  mai/^ 
n.  The 
lerate  ei- 
ur  trade. 


between 
ould  not 
\e  waters 
and  lUi- 
d  Indian- 
ps  of  the 


rrfly  win: 
r  be  prc^ 


Consmimaiion  of  the  Campaign  of 

the  North-Weskm  Army,  in  1813. 

The  repulse  of  the  enemy  at  Fort  Stephen- 
ion,  and  the  victory  of  Commodore  Perry, 
jave  a  new  aspect  to  affairs  in  the  north-west. 
Karly  in  Sept.  gen.  Harrison  be^an  to  con- 
;entrate  his  forces  at  the  mouth  of  Portage 
river.*    The  greatest  activity  was  visible  in 
;anip  ;  in  preparing  for  the  descent  on  Cana- 
ja — boats  were  collected — beef  jerked — the> 
superfluous  baggi^j^e  secured  in  block  houses« 
nid  a  substantial  log  fence  two  miles  long» 
extending  from  Portage  river  to  Sandusky 
)ay,  was  built  to  secure  the  horses  during  the 
)pe rations  of  the  army. 

On  the  17th  gov.  Shelby  with  4000  volun- 
Leers,  arrived  at  head  quarters.  This  formi- 
lable  corpi  were  all  mounted ;  but  it  was^ 
loeined  best  for  them  to  act  as  infantry,  and 
[eave  their  horses  on  the  peninsula.     On  the 

)tli  general  M'Arthur's  brigade,  frpm  fort 
^leigs,  joined  the  main  body,  after  a  very  fa- 
[iguing  marcli  of  three  days  down  the  laka 
joast. 


*  From  (lie  13th  of  September,  until  the  returu  of  the 
Irmy  to  Detroit,  after  the  battle  of  the  Thames,  the  writer 
|f  this  work  served  as  a  volunteer,  for  the  most  part,  in 
fol.  Ball's  legion,   and  was  an  acter  in  the  eventa  narra^ 

Bd, 


1! 


^.r 


•Ai-^ia^l 


\'t  M 


46 

■"'  ^rhvS  n  oXnce  ,J%ssu  .Uh 
tioit  l»y  '^"^\f" ;„.:(,«•  who  was  to  move  m 
the  commander  in  chit  ,wn      ,  ,^,  j  „{ 

boats  tl"ough  the   sland^  to   M^  ^^  ^  ^^^^ 

The  British  p^one.^  S^o "chlucXl , 
action  of  the  Wth,  weie  .em  j^^^j 

g„avded  by  a  l)art  "^ '^°7^^;(ii  „.    'fSe  dif- 1 
If  Penmyl^anta^eUc^AZ^-oHhe  lake, 

were  lett  m  V"  i»-ii  ^owhrid  covered  eight 
Fort  Meigs,  which  till  no  ^  ''f^irdimension, 
acres  of  land,  was  leduced  ^n    ^^^ .^„^  ,,^., 

stores.  .1  .;;^i  .■ 

Every  thing  being  nowreachs  the  emta^^^ 


»ip 


23-^  «^ 


17 

Bumbcv  of  boats,  not  more  than  one  Ihiid  of 
the  army  could  embaik  at  once. 

There  is  a  range  of  islands  extending  from 
the  tead  of  the  Pemnsula,  to  Maiden.     1  hese 

knds  retiderthe  navigation  safe  and  attord 
ll'e  armv  convenient  depots  for  baggage  and 
stores,  as  well  as  halting  places. 

Put-in-bay  island,  sixteen  miles  from  Por- 
ta^e,>vas  selected  by  the  geneml  as  the  hr.t 
Doint  of  rendezvous-the  fl.st  stage  m  his  pas- 
Ze  across  the  lake.  The  weather  was  ^- 
vof  able.  As  soon  as  the  first  division  of  boats 
reached  the  island,  men  were  immediately  de- 
tached to  take  back  the  boats  for  a  ftesh  load. 
Such  was  the  eagerness  of  the  men  to  accele- 
rate the  embarkation  of  the  whole  army,  that 
he V.  in  most  cases,  anticipated  this  regula- 
tion by  volunteering  their  services  to  return 
with  the  boats.    Every  one  courted  fatigue. 

".'The  fleet  of  commodore  Pen-y,  was  busily 
engaged  in  transporting  the  baggage  of  the 
avinv!  In  the  course  of  the  22d  the  whole 
armv  had  gained  the  island,  and  encamped  on 
the  margiit  of  the  -bay,  which  forms  nearly  a 
semi-circle.     '  ;     , 

The  Lawifencp,  ind  the  six  prize  ships,  cap- 
lured  froni  theenemy,  weee  at  anchor  inUie 
centre  of  the  bay,  and  in  full  view.  With 
vyhat  ineffable  delight  did   we  contemplate 


i**"' 


^1 


w 


4S 

this  interesiitv(  .spectacle !  The  curiosity  of 
the  tioMi).>  wad  amply  induls^cnl ;  every  one 
was  peniiUted  to  jro  on  board  the  prizes  to 
view  tlie  eiiects  of tlie  battle,  fhc  luen  were 
hiiililv  plei^.^ed  with  this  indulgence  of  the 
general  and  the  coi«rnodore.  The  scene  was 
calculated  to  inflame  their  mdilary  ardor, 
which  was  visible  in  every  countenance. 

The  anny  wa?  detained  at  Put-in-bay  dur- 
ina  the  23d  and  24tli  by  unfavorable  winds.— 
On  the  24th,  a  soldier  of  the  regular  forces 
was  shot  for  desertion.  He  had  deserted  three 
times— had  been  twice  before  condemned  to 
suffer  death,  and  as  often  pardoned  ;  he  met 
his  fate  with  stoical  indifference,  but  it  made 
a  very  sens^ible  impression  on  the  Iroops.-- 
Two  platoons  fired  on  him,  at  the  disti  iice  ol 
five  paces,  and  perforated  his  body  like  a 
sieve.* 

On  the  25th  the   army  again  euibarkqd 
partly  in  boats  and  partly  on  board  the  fleet, 

>  It  is  worthy  of  remark  that  but  %tvo  solflicrS  were 
shot  k  the  norlh-western  army  ;  and  sounfrcqurnt  was  de 
s.rtion,  that  from  the  time  I  joined  it,  tilt  U8  depaijurc 
for  fort  Georee,  not  a  solitary  insiftHce  octurred  ;  at  least 
Bone  came  to  n^  knowledge,  althoi^h  I  made  frec^eii 
enquiries  as  to  the  fact.  I  am  not  willing  io  attribute  this 
cxtraordiaarj'  felelity  to  the  pHbUc  service,  to  the  supe- 
rior patriotism  ()f  the  people  of  the  west,,  or  H  ^^^^ 
of  the  force  of  moral  obligations.  The  cau^e  is  eviUent 
t.Hhe  officers  .are  generally,  more  Attentive  t«  their  mefi, 
thaft  tljoBe^^rthp  uorth^B.army.  lisi^iiljii*   ''"■' 


j;;*i- 


k 


_,^      *«^>%^-'m'<fass«»i  .1-.  ,.J-*-  ■- 


y^- 


49 

*°'"^    It  r  SiBland' ailed  the  EasUm 

S^ThaTS  J^S   and  the  n.en  had 
'J^arcely  room  to  s.t  down. 

On  the  26th  the  -ind  blew  fre^>3  « 

their  staving.     1 J  g^^^\ai      ^^^e  of  the  en  • 
in  the  Anel,  «™^ea leco  ^.^^.^  ^ 

emy's  coast  and  app  j„ft„„e3,,  was  dis- 

distance  of  MflWen.    V'^V  ,  ^f  ^ur  pro- 

patched  to  ap^me  «^oi.  Joto«>  ^.^av- 

gress.  Gen.  Cas»,  ?"'••„  ^nd  number, 
gleiland  were  bu^J^"  ^^//XTake  had  risen 
ing  the  ^oats.  Atjun  ^^  ^j,^  violence  of 
several  feet    »ndced;^'^,tained  serious  fears 

SSil^d^UwXTn^relievedourap- 

prehensions. 

^    .1     oTi\i  it  nine  in  the  morning  the  ar- 

.  O"  "J^  ;i  Snfl  embarkation.    The  day  was 
*y  made  its  Anal  em  ^^^^  ^^^. 

fine,  and  a  P«>P»Y"'  nastime.    It  «  as  a  ■^  ub- 
,,gea  7tffiKS^  to  behold  .ix- 

i::^so^uisr.h^fs«eS;:  TLeco. 


•i  ii 


f't^*. 


i 


% 


■  i 


I  s 


56 

:.?and  and  animating  iu  U.e  looks  of  tl.e  .nen. 
TlZc  was  an  air  of  confuleme  m  every 
iSnance.    The  troops  panted  for  an  op- 
.orTunUy  to  rival  their  naval  brethren  in  feats 
7cZrie  and  skill  ;  they  seemed  to  envy 
?lJ^ood  fortune  of  our  brave  tars.    Ihey 
trfTgnorantof  the  flisht  of  the  enemy,  and 
LSvexneetedalisht;  indeed  the  be- 
TftscSren  among  th^  troops  that  the  en- 
emy were  in  great  fo?ce  ;  for  it  ,vas  believe 
thatBfxon's  Indians  as  well  as  Tecu.ttseh* 
Here  at  Maiden. 

AVe  landed  in  perfect  order  of  battle  at  4 
P  M  three  miles  below  Maiden.    The  Ken- 
tucky volunteers  formed  the  r  ght  wing.- 
b£  legion  and  the  frif"dl>-   "dmns  1*^^^^^^^^ 
Ire— the  regulars  on  the  left.    1  he  troops 
were  almost'^instantly  inline  and  shortly  cmu- 
menced  their  march,  en- echelons,  for  Maiden. 
The  troops  had  been  drilled  to  marclung  in 
and  odTboats  and  to  forming  on  the  beach 
Every  man  knew  his  place  ;  and  so  well  were 
Ly  masters  of  this  very  necessary  piece  of 
seKthat  a  company  would  march  into  a 
Wt    debark  and  form  on  the  beach  th  less 
Ihan'  one  minute,  and  that  too  without  the 
least  confusion.* 

»  This  DToficierwfy  is  applicable  only  lo  ^^^^^"^5^ 
,„d  I^vrmLh.  Toluuteers.     The  n.iUtia  officers  d.d 

Bot  attend  to  it. 


51 

r.s.  and  to  "np';"*  "^fjvernor  Shelby,  who 
They  ^--.Su  lL«by"Luring  them  that 
r  ca^l  oltlke  V.«r  on  women  and  dul- 
di^n  but  to  protect  them. 

The  army  eni-ed  AlaWen  Jy -^^^ 
trnrth^h^"Jdrof'^'"eei,oole." 

The  ruto  of  the  fort  and  j^h^^l^jS  JS^ 
ings  were  still  -smoking     A"  ^'^/^f,,  retreat. 

Sts  followed  the  B^J^'J^^^y  ^"t  have  cost 
The  fortilications  of  Maldei-  mu  ^^^ 

the  BrUish  government  a  va^umn^^^^  ^^^^ 

issurroimded  by  »  ^f  P^are  high  e»nd  the 
of  heavy  pickets;  ^he  waUs  ^        »^     ^^j^^^ 

"'iTninrSanJ  theV  were  unable  to 
ca?ry"wayw"resunkinthenver. 

dark  and  as  g'«/^f  ^Jagkdoes,  Scotch, 
itants  are  '^o'^P^^^Vrpm^  Very  few  men 
Irish,  and  9''"^^'^"/w  invariably  French, 
were  to  be  found  andihosem^  to  attempt  the 


fj 


'^  m 


i]  « 


H 


52 

where  so  few  remained  at  home.  I  will  then 
only  mention  one  fact.  A  well  known  hor- 
rid tratic  has  so  completely  blunted  the  teel- 
irio-s  of  humanity,  that  the  exhibition  of  scalps 
inthe  streets,  in  the  most  terrific  forms,  by 
the  Indians,  produces  no  emotion  of  horror 
even  in  the  female  bosom  I  The  ^ectacle 
has  become  so  familiar  to  the  eye,  that  it  has 
lost  the  interest  of  curiosity— and  is  beheld 
with  as  much  indifference  as  we  view  the  pel- 
try of  a  furman. 

Opposite  the  place  lies  the  island  of  Bois 
Blanc,  on  the  lower  end  of  which  was  a  heavy 
battery  which  defended  the  entrance  of  the 
harbor.  The  enemy  in  their  haste  had  left 
an  18  pounder  in  this  battery. 

Perhaps  there  is  not  a  place  in  America 
that  possesses  so  great  convenience  for  ship 
building  as  Maiden.  The  descent  of  the 
ghore  is  in  proper  angle  forlaimching  -.besides, 
the  water  is  deep  and  the  timber  can  be  float- 
ed to  the  spot  in  any  quantity  and  at  a  short 
distance,  except  pine  which  is  found  on  the 
Thames,  on  the  St.  Clair  river  and  on  th^ 
shores  of  the  lakes.  They  had  collected  a 
considerable  quantity  of  timber,  which  they 
attempted  to  burn,  but  witliout  success. 

The  country  is  settled  to  the  distance  of 
twenty  miles  "^below  Maiden.  Col.  Ellic: 's 
house  stands  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  half  a 


53 

mile  below  the  village-he  has  an  extensive 
™chard  and  a  park,  his  house  was  deserted.- 
We  found  excellent  peaches,  of  which  w« 
made  free  use,  without  et.quuuig  the  price. 

Three  miles  above  the  fort  is  an  Indian  vil- 
lacrl  Xh  we  found  deseited,  and  so  sudden- 
Kr many  essential  articles  oi  Indian  mr- 
S  ure.  such  as  brass  kettles  ^^«t.Sil  sS 
houses.  Here  we  procmed  a  P^^n^  "J.  «"P 
ply  of  green  corn,  potatoes,  &c.  1  ws  village 
was  not  burnt. 

In  the  evening  after  our  arrival  at  Maiden. 
Col  Ball  .1-spatched  an  officer  and  _twenty 
men  to  prevent  the  enemy's  destroying  the 
bridge  across  the  Aux  Cannards. ,  The  ene- 
my were  found  on  the  bridge,  haying  just  set 
fire  to  it.  Our  party  fired  on  them-they 
dispersed  and  the  bridge  was  saved. 

On  the  28lh  we  passed  the  Av  x  Cannards, 
and  encamped  two  miles  beyond  tnc  river,  in 
a  neat  French  settleinent.  A  small  party  ot 
British  horse  shewed  themselves  at  the  bridge 
and  then  scampered  off. 

The  next  day  we  reached  Sandwichat  two 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  At  the  same  ti^ 
the  fleet  came  up  the  river  to  Detroit.  Ihe 
general  made  dispositions  for  passmg  the  riv- 
er. Governor  Shelby's  corps  lemauied  at 
Sandwich,  while  Ball's  legion  and  Uie  brigades 


r' 


*lB»'if * " 


^  I  *' 


54 

of  generals  M' Arthur  and  Cass  passed  over 
toUetroit. 

The  Indians  appeared  in  groupes,  on 
the  bank  of  tlie  river  below  Detroit ;  a  few 
shots  from  the  gun-boats  caused  them  to  dis- 

[)erse. 

The  Indians  did  not  leave  Detroit  till  the 
boats  containing  the  troops  were  half  way 
across  the  river.    Just  before  Y\*^"'^!?r 
the  American  side  the  inhabitants  hoisted  the 
United  Stales  ilag  amid  tlie  acclamations  of 
tliousands.    We  were  received  bv.the  inhab- 
itants with  demonstrations  of  unfeigned  joy. 
Thev  had  suffered  all  that  «»t/«2erf  and  sa- 
vage tyranny  could  inflict,  save  death.    The 
Indians  Imd  lived  at  free  quarters  for  several 
months.    It  was  natural  for  them  to  hail  us  as 
deliverers. 

The  enemy  had  set  fire  to  the  fort,  but  the 
w*lls  and  picketing  remained  entire.  1  he 
public  store,  a  long  brick  building  near  the 
wharf  was  injured  only  in  the  roof,  which  our 
men  soon  repaired.  Ipthecour^  of  the  night 
there  was  an  alarm  in  camp,  the  fires  were  ex- 
tinguished, and  the  men  ordered  to  lie  onthew 
arms. 

On  tlie  301h  col.  Johnson's  regiment  arriv- 
ed from  Fort  Meigs,  they  immediately  com- 
Menced  the  passage  of  the  rivers  boats. 


S5 

(Jen  M'Arthur  with  tlie  mass  of  the  regular 
troops  was  .:harged  with  the  defence  of  De- 
iroit  It  was  the  general  opinion  ot  the  in- 
hahitants  that  there  were  1000  Indian  wai- 
rk)rs,  under  Marpot  and  Split  Log,  lurking  m 
the  woods  between  the  river  Rouge  and  Hu- 
ron of  Lake  St.  Clair.  The  friehdly  Indians 
had  taken  several  prisoners  m  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  Detroit. 

On  the  2d  of  October  every  arrangement 
was  completed  for  pursuing  the  retreating 
British  annv  up  the  Thames.  The  force  se- 
lected for  tins  service  were  tlie  mounted  regi- 
ment of  col.  Johnson,  three  companies  of  co  . 
Ball's  legion  and  principal  part  of  gov.  (Shel- 
by's volunteers. 

From  Sandwich  to  the  Moravian  Town  is 
eio^hty-four  miles.    We  found  the  roads  for 
th?  most  part  good.    The  country  is  perfect- 
ly level.    The  advance  of  the  troops  was  rap- 
ifl_so  much  so,  that  we  reached  the  river  Rie- 
cum,  which  is  about  twenty-five  miles  from 
Sandwich,  in  Uie  evening.    The  enemy  had 
neglected  to  destroy  the  bridge.    Eaily  in 
the  morning  of  the  3d,  the  general  F<>ceeded 
with  Johnson's  regiment,  to  prevent  the  de- 
Ttruction  of  the  bridges  over  the  different 
SaS  that  fall  into  lake  St.  Clair  and  the 
Thames.    These  streamsare  deep  and  muddy 
and  are  unfordable  for  a  considerable  distance 
into  the  country.    A  lieutenant  of  dragoons 


}■' 


I 


in  I 


11 


m 


4 


Am 


56 

and  thiiteen  privates,  who  had  been  sent  back 
bv  creneral  Proctor,  to  destroy  the  bridges, 
were  made  prisoners  near  the  inoutli  ot  the 
Thames;  from  them  the  jreneral  learnt  that 
the  enemy  had  no  certaui  information  ot  om*. 
advance. 

The  bat^o-as^e  of  the  army  was  brought  from 
Detroit  in^'boats,  protected  by  a  part  of  com- 
modore Perry's  squadron.    In  the  evening  the 
army  arrived  at  Drake's  faim,  eight  miles 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Thames  and  encamped. 
This  river  is  a  fine  deep  stream,  navigable  tor 
vessels  of  considerable  burthen,  after  the  pas- 
^ao-e  of  ihe  bar  at  its  mouth,  over  which  there 
k  generally  seven  feet  water.    The  gun-boats 
could  ascend  as  far  as  Dalson's,  below  which 
the  country  is  one  continued  prairie,  and  at 
once  favorable  fov  cavalry  movements  and  for 
the  co-operation  of  the  gun-boats,    Above 
Dalson's  the  aspec.  of  the  country  changes  ; 
the  river,  though  still  deep,  is  not  more  than 
seventy  yards  wUle,  and  its  banks  high  and 
woody.  i 

\i  Chatham,  four  miles  from  Dalson's  and 
xxteen  from  lake  St.  Clair,  is  a  small  deep 
reek  where  we  found  the  bridge  tdien  U]> 
and  the  enemy  disi>osed  to  dispute  our  pas- 
sage and  upon  the  arrival  of  the  advanced 
cruard,  commenced  a  lieavy  fire  from  the  op- 
posite bank  as  well  as  a  flank  fire  from  the 
right  bank  of  the  river.    The  army  b^l  Wd  and 


57 

fonnecl  in  order  of  battle.  The  bridge  waa 
repaired  under  (he  cover  of  a  fire  frornXwo 
six  pounders.  The  Indians  did  not  relish  the 
(ire  of  our  cannon  and  retired.  Col.  Johnson 
bein^  on  the  right,  had  seized  tlie  remains  of 
a  bridge  at  M'George's  mills,  under  a  heavy 
lire  from  the  Indians.  He  lost  on  this  occa- 
sion, two  killed  and  four  wounded.  ^  The  en- 
emy set  (ire  to  a  house  near  tlie  bridge  con- 
taining a  considerable  quantity  of  muskets  ; 
the  flames  were  extinguished  and  tlie  arms 
saved.  At  the  first  farm  above  the  bridge  we 
found  one  of  the  enemy's  vessels  on  fire,  load- 
ed with  arms  and  ordnance  stores.  Four  miles 
higher  up,  the  army  took  a  position  for  the 
Y^la[\i — here  we  found  two  other  vessels  and  a 
large  distillery  filled  with  ordnance  and  other 
stores  to  an  immense  amount,  in  flames.  Two 
24  pounders,  with  their  carriages,  were  taken, 
and  a  large  quantity  of  ball  and  shells  of  vari- 
ous sizes. 

The  army  was  put  in  motion  early  on  the 
morning  of  the  fifth.  The  general  accompani- 
ed col.  Johnson — Gov.  Slielby  followed  with 
the  infantry.  This  morning  we  captured  two 
gun-boats  and  several  batteaux  loaded  witli 
provisions  and  ammunition.  At  nine  we  had 
reached  Arnold's  mills,  where  there  is  a  ford- 
ing place,  and  the  only  one  for  a  considerable 
distance.  Here  the  army  crossed  to  the  right 
bank — ^the  mounted  regiment  fording,  and  the 
infantry  in  the  captured  jpoats.     The  passage, 


* 


I 


58 

*hm,<rh  retarded  for  want  of  a  sufficient  num. 
ber?bo£  wa.  completedhy  twelve. 

E-'^^^f'^\rB£fSirdSnS 
ground  where  ^he  Bntisli  lorce  ^^^ 

fhe  nigl'^^^^TVolm  onSnentto  accele- 

advance  of  col.  J°~b,  iW^e  of  ascertain- 
rale  their  march,  for  a.epm  pose  ^^^^^ 

i„g  the  d  .f  «^%°f,S;  Xr?  ent  word  back 

rrptirit- Sopped  by  the «. 

So  we?e  formed  across  our  Ime  of  maich, 

The  amy  was  now  witlnn  three  ^^^^^^^^^^ 
the  Moravjan  town  an-^^^^^^^^^^^^  ^  eh 

1^0  miles  near  /"^^^'^^^f  j^^Xe  rivev  is  a 
the  distance  o^  ^fty /"ds  iron  ^^ 

swamp  running f  "-^^e**^ ''^f " Tte  «'^«""^- 
the  way  to  the,  Indian  v>"«Sf- ./^"fg^^,.  tl,e 

diate  S'-7t*^n3  a,ick    v^*^^e'4  "tti;  un- 
trees  are  loftj^  and  thick,  «»"    j    •  f  ,„;,„  or 

the  swamp. 

.    Acrossthisnarrows.ipoflaiid^J.^B^^^^^ 

force  was  drawn  up  '"  ^^^"fX  relung  on  the 
veiit  our  advance,  ^j'""^^,? '^igg  of  cannon 
river,  X^tntf  wl'^^eTwTXr  pieces.- 
ie":r\?«  1^:  British  line  was  covered 


rer  is  a 
ling  all 
ilerme- 
el;  the 
ttle  un- 
man or 
(lers  on 


;  British 
,  lopre- 
g  on  the 
cannon 
)iecea. — 
covered 


59 

by  a  large  Indian  force,  who  also  lined  the 
margin  of  the  swamp  to  a  considerable  dis- 
tance. Tlie  British  troops  amounted  to  600 — 
the  Indians  probably  to  1200. 

As  it  was  not  practicable  to  turn  the  enemy 
in  flank,  it  became  necessary  to  attac  k  tliem 
in  front.  General  Harrison  did  not  long  hes- 
itate in  his  choice  of  the  mode  of  attack.  It 
was  as  novel  as  it  was  successful. 

The  troops^t  his  disposal  might  amount  to 
3000  men  ;  yet,  from  the  peculiar  nature  of 
the  ground^  not  the  half  of  this  force  could  ad^ 
vantageously  engage  the  enemy. 

About  150  regulars,  under  col.  taul  occu- 
pied the  narrow  spaces  between  the  road  and 
river;  they  were  ordered  to  advance  and 
amuse  the  enemy ;  andj  if  an  opportunity  of- 
fered, to  seize  the  cannon  of  the  eneirty.  A 
small  party  of  friendly  Indians,  were  directed 
to  move  under  the  bank^  Col.  Johnson's,  jre- 
giment  was  drawn  up  in  close  column,  with  its 
fight  at  a  few  yards  distant  from  4he  road,  with 
orders  to  charge  at  fiill  speed  as  soon  as  the 
ertemy^elivered  his  fire*  The  Kentucky  vol- 
unteers, under  major  general  Henny,  were 
fonned  in  the  rear  of  the  mounted  regiment, 
in  three  lines,  extending  from  the  road  to  the 
swamp.  Gen.  Desha's  division  covered  the 
left  of  Johnson's  regiment.  Gov,  Shelby  was 
at  the  crochet  formed  by  the  front  line  andgenr 


i 


fh 


iff 


15 -t 


60 

Desha's  division.  TI«b  was  a^"  "J^^^^l^^ 
S.  General  Cass  ^"•l^'^SaSon  who 
?l„U,eredas  «dB^U>  jen^^^^^^^^^  of 

placed  lunisei;  "Viho  movements  of  the  cav- 

Such  was  the  order  of  battle. 

The  army  moved  in  thi^  order  tm^^^ 
mountedmen  received  tl.e  me  oime  e       , 

„t  the  distance  f,„f?  ^Xuae  wercin  mo- 

:^^^^;l^ai%3-t"?hSon  bylie»t. 
tion  at  nill  speea     ii«-    -e  ,         i^  ^^     gnt. 

col.  James  .Johnson  .^^l^JSrlhe  enemyV; 
ish  lines  and  formed  in  their  rear,  the  e    j^^ 

pieces  wf «  ''!^°:J  f;;;^S  at'discreAion- 

twelve  aiK  unexpected.      1  h^y 

r^nolSeSed^Ji^^^^^^^^^^^ 

cutaown  uy  u«r  was  not  general. — 

^  n:Cmy  Bh"  n  IheTeas"  symptom,  of 
Had  the  enemy  «         ,^   through  their  Unes, 

!f '"'*'*"  i!'rSrtw<5ud  have  been  destroyed, 
ttie  greater  pan  ^^""7  .   ^         Vieev.    Never 

^"*  ry„7mor:Trirdep^'^<l  «"  t^^^ 
was  terror  raoie  ^'^•^*>"'^'4„„,|,^„fficeiswere 

countenances  M  men.    E^^^^^^^^  "  "-"-I 

fe'^'r  mr^  It^o  doubUhat  they  exp.ct.d 


riant 
*erry 
,  who 
ne  of 
}  cav- 
)port. 


II  the 

nemy. 
charge 
in  mo- 
^  lieut* 
Brit- 

lemy's: 
i  were 
stion — 
Le.    In 
1  killed 
li  regu- 
They 
:e  tram- 
5rs  were 
tve  shot 
leral. — 
)tom!^  of 
}k  lines, 
stroyed, 
Never 
on  the 
eiswere 
^  "  quar- 
BXpected 


61 

to  he  massacred,  believing  that  the  Kentucki- 
ans  would  retaliate  the  bloody  scenes  of  Rai- 
shi  and  Miami;  but  nothing  was  farther 
from  their  intentions,  except  it  should  be  on 
the  persons  of  Proctor  and  Elliot — these, 
neither  the  authority  of  Harrison  nor  of  Shel- 
by could  have  saved,  if  they  had  been  found 
in  battle. 

On  the  left  the  contest  was  more  serious. 
Col.  Johnson,  who  commanded  on  that  flnnk  of 
his  regiment,  received  a  terrible  fire  from  the 
Indians,  which  was  kept  up  for  some  time. — 
The  colonel  most  gallantly  led  ihe  head  of 
his  column  into  the  hottest  of  the  enemy's  fire, 
and  was  personally  opposed  to  Tecumseh. — 
At  tins  point  a  condensed  mass  of  savages  had 
collected.     Yet  regardless  of  danger,  he  rusli- 
ed  into  the  midst  of  them,  so  thick  were  the 
Indians  at  this  moment,  that  several  might 
have  reached  him  with  their  rifles.     He  ro#5 
a  white  horse  and  was  known  to  be  an  officer 
of  rank ;  a  shower  of  balls  was  discharged  at 
him — some  took  effect — liis  horse  was  shot 
under  him — hU  clothes,  his  saddle,  his  person 
was  pierced  with  bullets.    At  the  moment  his 
horse  fell, Tecumseh  rushed  towards  him  with 
an  uplifted  tomahawk,  to  give  the  fatal  stroke, 
but  his  presence  of  mind  did  not  forsake  him 
in  this  perilous  predicament — he  drew  a  pistol 
from  his  holster  and  laid  his  daring  opponent 

dead  at  his  feet.    He  was  unable  to  do  more, 
the  loss  of  blood  deprived  hi:n  of  strength  to 


A' 
"•'1 


f 


/' 


62 

Sere  Tecu.«.eh  was  killed  and  be  trains  ot 
Wood  almost  covered  the  grouwl. 

The  Indians  Continued  a  brisk  fire  from  tl.G 

S-thd.^fire  soon  became  too  warm  for  the 

^  !Lv    \  mrt  of  Johnson's  men  having  gam- 
enemy.  Apai'^oi-!"!    ,   ,.     y      tj^e  rout. 
ed  the  rear  part  of  the  Indian^un       ^^^.^^^ 

SSef  rL  triage  by  running  up 

!l=;afdS"TheIudiansfo^^^^^ 
o^ipiidKti  .  -^j  a  severe  loss  m  killed 

SvoUerTtdeathof  Tecumseh  was 
to  them  an  irreparable  loss. 

The  American  army  had  fifteen  killed  and 
n.ivtv  wounded.  Among  the  slam  was  col. 
VV  .itlev  of  the  Kentucky  volunteers,  a  man 
nfTOveai^o  acre.and  a  soldier  of  therevo- 
luS  He  wLu.  easy  circumstances  athome, 

and  possessed  an  excellent  character. 
Among  the  trophies  of  the  day  wer*  six 


63    > 

brass  field  pieces,  which  had  been  surrendered 
h  V  Hull-  -I  read  on  two  of  them  this  p  easn.g 
motto:  "Sarrmdcrcl  bj,  Burgmync  at  Sara- 
toga-''* 

The  day  after  the  battle  a  part  of  the  army 
took  possesBion  of  the  Moravian  to>vn,  where 
we  found  'nost  kin.ls  of  vegetables  in  abu.ul- 
Lce-theBC  were  acceptable  to  >««";;;}'« '«J 
fm-vPveraWlays subsisted  on  fresh  beef,  with- 

S  tSl  or  sk    We  found  ple'jjy  "^  g^;^^^, 
corn;  the  ftelds  were  extensive  .and  our  hoibes 

had  an  excellent  range. 

The  town  was  deserted ;  eo  P^mc  struck 
were  some  of  the  women  in  their  flight,  that 
rhev  are^id  to  have  thrown  their  children 
Into  the  Thames,  to  prevent  their  being  butch- 
ered by  the  Americans  !* 

This  village  is  situated  on  the  right  bank  of 
iK/Tharne.  about  forty  miles  from  its  en- 
hance tto  lake  St.  Clair,  The  town  was 
built  by  emigrants  from  Muskingum,  andcon^ 
SI  at  th?  lime  of  tbebattte  near  y  100 
V1ml^P^  mostly  well  built.  1  iie  itev.  joim 
Si  from  Bethlehem  (Penn.)  was  establish- 
ed here  a  a  missionary.  Many  of  the  mhabi- 
tantl  speak  English-tliere  was  a  school  house 

»  ,v,a   |,.i8   fact  from  an   American  gentleman,  who 
».   OHfo  1    w hen  "  roctor  and  the  Imirans  passed 


I 


.'P 


04 

and  a  chapel.    The  gardens  wer^  lu^turiant 
and  cultivated  witli  taste. 

The  town  was  destroyed  as  well  as  the  corn- 
iicldrf  HI  its  vicinity,  by  the  troops  previous  to 
their  leavino-  it.  Auiono;  other  reasons  assign- 
ed to  lustifv  the  measure,  it  was  alledgedthat 
these  'Indians  had  been  among  the  (;)remost  ni 
massacreing  our  men  at  the  river  Raisin,  and 
that  the  town,  if  it  was  spared,  would  a  lord  a 
convenient  shelter  for  the  British  allies  during 
the  winter,  and  from  which  tliey  could  easily 
pass  into  the  Micliigan  territory  to  rob  and 
murder  the  inhabitants. 

1  have  yet  to  learn,  tliat  it  is  either  good 
policy  or  justice,  for  the  American  troops,  in 
every  instance,  to  burn  the  Indian  towns  that 
fall  into  their  powe*'.  Are  the  Indians  to  be 
reclaimed  by  fire  ? 

ft  ■ 

Gen<"i  al  Proclor  abandoned  his  army  at  the 
very  moment  Johnson's  Vegiment  beat  tlie 
charoe.  About  forty  dragoons  accompanied 
him  as  a  guard.  In  twenty-four  hours  he  was 
sixty-live  miles  from  the  Moravian  town.  A 
few  of  the  mounted  men  pursued  him  and  at 
one  time  were  within  one  hundred  yards  of 
him,  but  they  were  too  weak  to  attack  his 
u-uard.    His  carria";e  and  papers  were  taken. 

Three  waggonsloaded  with  specie  escaped, 
but  might  have  been  overtaken,  if  proper 


05 

mPisuios  had  been  taken  to  pursue  the  fugl- 
^v:r  A  Vuot  ..f  ;W0  barrel,  ot  Hour  was 
wWrm  a  day's  march  of  the  Moravran  town. 

The  distance  from  the  Moravian  town  to  i 
ihe  l^ad  of  lake  Ontario  b  1 10  miles.  The 
road  kaves  the  Thames  at  the  In.han  town. 
^1  strike-  it  again  at  Delaware,  twenty-five 
n  Uef<  rfant,  where  it  crosses,  passes  through 
London  Oxford,  &c  and  crosses  Grand  nver, 
near  the  Mohawk  villa<re,  pursuing  a  south- 
eastern direction.  Between  Moravian  town 
and  Delaware,  the  road  is  bad,  the  rest  of  the 

wav  20od.    I"  <l'e  to^'^^P  "^  Delaware  is  a 
riuf£orestofpine,belongngtotheaow^ 

A  little  below  this  on  the  lelt  ^a"*' ?f  ^'f 
Thames  stands  the  Munsee  Indian  vdlage. 
?  e  S  in  this  part  of  the  Upper  Province 
is  uncommonly  fertile,  and  admfrably  calcu- 
ated  for  farms.  On  the  river  there  are  ex- 
tSve  bottoms-then  a  gentle  rise  of  beauti- 
ful thubered  land,  to  which  succeed  opemngs 
well  calculated  for  wheat,. 

The  army  returned  to  Detroit.  Capt.  Elli- 
ot of  the  Niagara.  Volunteered  his  services  to 
convmand  a  naval  expedition  against  Michili- 
Snac  and  fort  St.  Joseph;  but  the  weatlier 
•  nrovinc' unfavourable  for  a  number  of;  days. 
?he  season  became  too  far  advanced  to  nsk  the 
8(luadrori  on  lake  Huron,  till  spring. 

While  general  Harrison  was  pursuing  Proc- 


1    \ 


';'  I 


m^mssmrn'm^^ 


V 


6d 

tor  up  the  Thames,  the  Ottcwas,  Chippewas, 
Potowatamies,  Miamies  and  Kikapoos,  pro- 
posed to  gen.  M'Arthur,  a  suspension  of  hos- 
tilities, and  agreed  to  "  take  hold  of  the  same 
tomahawk  with  the  Americans,  and  to  strike 
all  who  are,  or  may  be  enemies  of  the  United 
States,  whetlier  British  or  Indians."  They 
brought  in  their  women  and  children  and  ot- 
fered  them  as  hostages  for  their  good  behavi- 
or. 

On  the  23d  of  October,  general  Harrison 
with  all  his  disposable  regular  troops,  embark- 
ed on  board  the  fleet  and  sailed  for  Buffalo, 
in  obedience  to  orders  fr^-i  the  secretary  of 
war.     Previous  to  his  departure,  he  appo)nted 
treneral  Cass  provisional  governor  of  the  Mi- 
chit^an  territory—the  civil  ordinances,  as  they 
stood  at  Hull's  surrender,  were  proclaimed  m 
force.    Gen.  Cass  was  left  with  about  one 
thousand  men,  not  more  than  seven  hundred 
of  whom  were  efTective.    Tlie  men  were  in- 
dustriously  employed   in  preparing  winter 
quarters  at  the  fort.    The  Scorpion  and  Ohio 
schooners  were  engaged  in  transporting  sup- 
plies from  Erie  and  Cleveland,  for  the  troops 
during  winter.     Troops  were  stationed  at 
Maiden  and  SaBclwich.--Tbe  campaign  clos^ 
edk 


M 


f  V. 


i 


Fieiv  of  the  Lake  Coast  from  San- 
dusky to  Detroit*    • 

The  distance,  by  land,  from  the  mouth  of 
Sanduskv  bay  to  the  town  of  Detroit,  w  11 J 
mUe  "  in  a  direct  course  by  water,  it  i.  not 
more  'than  74  miles,    Boats  irecjuently  pass 
lo  ^nd  from  Maiden  and  Detroit  by  ^yay  o 
the  Hands,  which  extend  nearly  ma  direct 
line  from  the  point  of  the  peninsula  formed  by 
SanduTy  bay  and  Portage  river,  to  Maiden. 
iS  pnfximity  of  the  islands  to  each  other 
renders  the  navigation   safe ;   it  sometimes 
CSs,  howeven  owing  to  the  temerity  or 
Sance  of  the  pilots,  that  boats  are  lost  - 
■f",e  number  of  islands  is  about  twenty  ;  the 
principal  of  which  are  Cunningham's,  Put-in- 
Sav  Isle  auxFleursand  Pointe  au  Plait  isl- 
and.'  Each  of  these  contain  several  thousand 

~T77^e  prospectus  of  this  work,  it  was  proposed  to 
.We  a  view  of  the  lake  coast  from  Sandusky  o  Mich.U- 
give  a  view  "'    '  „ot  much  versed  in  book-mak- 

T^Zn^i    wh^n  he  besan  o  arrange  his  notes   that  a 

IVISe  w^Sf  wStcir  he  tbi.kf  the  .e»d«  will  ap- 
prove. 


ii:i 


j-  1 


r 


'I  i 


!f    1  * 


h 


.     68 

acres  of  excellent  land,  covered  with  lofty 
Sr,  such  as  white  oak,  black  walnut,  red 
cedar,  baswood  and  honey  locust. 

Put-in-Bay  is  an  object  of  much  interest  in 
a  political  point  of  view.    It  lies  about  one 
mSe  south  of  the  Isle  aux  Fleurs,  and  the 
"iZLy  Hnebetween  Canada  andthe  l-^ted 
States  passes  between  them.    I    =  about  12 
miles  in  circumference  and  aflords  the  blst 
Sbor  between  Buffalo  and  Maiden.  It  con- 
falnr  several  hundred  acres  of  the  hnest  oak 
Sber  to  be  found  on  the  lake  waters ;  about 
a  acres  of  this  invaluable  forest  ha-  teen 
.ipadened,  by  the  proprietor,  Mr.  Jl.clwara?, 
who  b  1812,  employed  about  thirty  hands 
fn  clearing  land.    He   built  a  house  on  the 
Sdeof  the  bay  and  procured  a  stock  of  hog. 
and  three  hundred  merino  sheep  vyh.ch  he  win- 
tered on  the  island.    His  wheat,  corn,  pote- 
toes  garden  and  meadow  were  very  fine-h  s 
&st  harvest  gave  him  1200  bushels  of  wheat. 
A  few  week/beforc  the  declaration  of  war  he 
«as  compelled,  from  motives  of  safety,  to 
Tbandon  L  estWishment,    Tlie  Indians  de- 
Soved  his  grain  and  burnt  his  house;    he 
K  were  not  all  killed;  we. saw  several  m 
the  woods  perfectly  wild  and  m  good  cond  - 
tionGen^HaiTison  caused  a  large  logbudd- 
iTtobe  erected  on  the  margmof  the  bay, 
S  served  as  a  public  store.    The  harbor 
Ts  on  the  north  side  within  the  strait  formedby 
isle  aux  Fleurs,  .-.nd  is  deepenough  at  certain 


t'    ' 


m  >* 


FI1W,"-/,MT'f."-"  - 


69 

noints  to  admit  vessels  of  400  tons  burthen  to 
unclior  within  twenty  yards  of  the  shore.  1  he 
south  half  of  the  island  is  covered  with  b  ack 
walnut  and  honey  locust.    From  the  pods  of 
the  latter,  which  are  about  twelre  niches  long 
md  one  wide,  is  made  a  liquor  resembling 
uethes^lin.    The  process  is  simp  y  bruising 
andfemientation ;  one  tree  will  often  yield  U 
or  20  bushels  of  pods.    The   soil  is  a  deep 
black  mould,  resting  on  a  bed  of  lim^tone 
similar  to  that  of  many  parts  of  Kentuck). 
Nearly  in  the  centre  of  the  island  is  a  cave  in- 
to which  several  of  us  descended,  and  at  tbe 
distance  of  200  feet  from  its  mouth  found  a 
subterTaneanp.,ndof  thepurertwater.  1  w^lve 
or  fifteen  feet  from  its  entrance,  one  is  oblig- 
ed to  creep  for  eight  or  ten  feet,  ff^^y^^!^- 
ter  a  spacious  room  about  170  leet  ^ong  and 
40  wide  ;  its  left  side  rises  like  an  amphithea- 
tre •  the  angle  of  descent  from  the  entrance  to 
Le'pond  islbout  15  degrees.   It  wa.  wi to  dif- 
ficulty that  we  could  preserve  our  lights ;  we 
could  neither  ascertain  the  depth  or  extent  of 
the  water,  for  it  etfectually  prevented  our 
further  progress.  We  bad  furnished  ourselve. 
wUl  a  pole  25  feet  long,  for  the  purpose  of 
riling  it.      It  unquest  onably  commuai- 
cates  with  the  circumlluent  lake.     1  he  place 
appeared  to  have  been  much  I'equented  by 
Im  i-u  s     No  place  is  better  adapted  to  the 
*  laiii"   of  sheep,  as  the  wolves  were  never 
known  to  ven  ure  over  from  the  main  and  the 
E    y  seed  sown  by  Mr.  Edwards  lias  pro- 


I 


M 


X 


i 

i 


%   i 


LiU.      ..1  ■? 


70 

duced  a  meadow  of  tlie  most  luxuriant  growtk 
The  people  employed  on  Mr.  E's.  plaiitatio« 
enjoyed  good  health.    There  is  one  serious 
evil,  howerer,  to  counterbalance  so  may  ad- 
vantages.   There  are  a  great  number  of  rattle 
snakes ;  so  plenty  indeed,  Uiat  they  would 
erawl  into  our  tents  and  conceal  themselves 
under  our  baggage.     An  officer  of  Shelby's 
corps  found  one  under  his  pillow,  wlien  he 
awoke  in  the  morning.    I'he  proprietor  of 
this  island  died  in  the  autumn  of  1012.  Qaery . 
Are  not  political  considerations  sufficiently 
•weio-hty  to  induce  the  purchase  of  this  island 
by  the  United  States]  The  contingencies  of 
^aV— events,  now  in  the  womb  of  futurity, 
may  render  this  island  of  great  national  im- 
portance.   There  is  an  excellent  scite  for  a 
navy  yard,  and  timber  in  sufficient  quantities 
within  rifle  shot  distance  from  the  shoi«. 

These  islands  in  most  places  present  a 
beautiful  white  beach ;  here  and  there  you 
perceive  rude  clifts  of  limestone  rock  curious- 
ly excavated  by  the  surf.  They  are  not  cor- 
rectly laid  down  in  any  map  that  I  have  seen. 
Melish's  map  of  the  seat  of  war,  the  best  ex- 
tant, is  incorrect  in  the  position  of  these  isl- 
ands. Put-in-Bay  and  Aux  Fleurs  actually 
but  one  mile  apart,  are  represented  at  the  dis- 
tance of  iifteen  on  the  map.  The  location  of 
the  Three  Sisters  is  equally  erroneous. 

Deer  are  frequently  seen  swimming  from 


# 


I     ' 


ition 
rious 
y  ad- 
*attle 
^ould 
elves 
lby> 
n  he 
or  of 
aery . 
entlv 
sland 
es  of 
urity, 
al  im- 
fora 
itilies 


?  you 
rious- 
)t  cor- 
seen. 
ist  ex- 
se  isl- 
tually 
iie  dis- 
Lion  of 


;  from 


the  point  of  the  peninsula  to  the  nearest  isl^ 
Tmls  where  they  range  in  uedisturbed  secu- 
V  V '   Thev  have  very  sensibly  increased  m 
numbers  since   the  declaration  of  war,  by 
reason  of  the  Indians  having  had  no  time  to 
biint     The  velocity  of  a  deer  s  motion  m 
.vateV  when  swimming,  if  frightened  and  pur^ 
sued,  is  incredible.    Few  boats  are  able  to 
overtake  them. 

The  "  myriads  of  water  snakes,"  which 
well)  basking  on  the  leaves  of  the  pond  lilly> 
It  the  time  Cai-ver  passed  the  islands,  are  not 
Sbe  seen  at  this  day.  Neither  has  any  one 
ever  been  able  to  discover  his  deleterious 
'hissing  snake."*  men  wdl  he  sagacious 
geographer  Morse  reject  this  fable  ? 

Several  families  have  settled  on  the  Isle  au 
riait  for  the  purpose  of  raising  cattle  and 
hoo-s' which  are  found  to  do  extremely  well, 
andthatwithoutreceivingmuchattentionfrom 

""^Thrmost  remarkable  of  the  different  species  that  io- 
feat  th  s  lake,  fErie]  is  the  hissing  snake,  wh.ch  is  ol  the 
InfalUpec^^^^^^^  ami  is   about  eight  inches  lor^g.- 

WheX  thing  approaches,  H^f -f ^^JJ^S^ 


1: 


^ 


m 


' ') 


\\ 


I 


-/ 


I  { 


I*  V 


.  "^2 

the  owners^.    One  family  often  own  tliree  or 
four  liundred  hogs. 

The  peninsula  projects  ten  miles  into  the 
lake,  and  is  formed  by  Sandusky  bay  and  Por- 
tage river,  which  at  their  nearest  approach  are 
not  more  than  a  mile  and  a  half  apart  The 
intervening  land  is  a  perfect  level,  of  a  rich 
black  soil  and  not  more  than  six  feet  above  the 
surface  of  both  waters.  4  canal  across  this 
neck,  which  would  cost  but  a  lew  thousand 
dollarsj  would  save  boats  nearly  thirty  miles 
of  dangerous  navigation.  The  head  of  the 
peninsula  proves  frequently  a  difficult  point 
to  weather.  The  west,  south-west  and  north- 
west winds  generally  prevail:  hence,  boats 
often  experience  several  day's  delay  in  tlieir 
passage  round  the  point. 

The  peninsula  contains  about  one  hundred 
thousand  acres  and  may  at  no  remote  period 
nourish  a  populous  settlement :  the  soil  is  in 
most  places  a  deep  black  mould,  covered  with 
black  walnut,  butternut,  honey  locust,  bass- 
wood  and  oak ;  the  surface  is  apparently  as 
level  as  the  almost  surrounding  waters,  though 
there  is  an  imperceptible  acclivity  from  the 
neck  to  its  terminating  point,  where  the  bank 
is  twenty  feet  high.  Amiii  a  dozen  families 
had  settled  on  its  eastern  margin  before  the 
war,  but  the  menaces  of  the  Indians  soon  com- 
pelled them  to  abandon  their  habitations. — 
Those  parts  lying  on  the  bay  and  Portage 


•73 

have  proved  sicMy,  while  those  ^shedW 
ZuL  are  favoraile  to  health.  The  peb^ 
bksoiiheheach  as  well  as  Ite  rocks  of  ti.e 
shore  are  limestone :  the  same  of  the  islands. 

^anduskY  bay,  or  rather  the  "LitlkLake," 
as  it  h  termed  by  the  inhabitants,  i^  twelve 
:i  long  and  eW  wWe,  .fil-  nanws 
whpre  it  communicates  with  lake  i!.ne,  it  is 
JoTmore  thanhalf  a  mile  wide  It  affords  an 
excellent  harbor  for  boats  and  light  vessels. 
Clouds  of  ducks  are  at  all  times  seen  flymg  a- 
hoiit  the  bay :  fish  can  be  taken  m  abundance. 
Ss  island  on  which  have  resided   several 

MSiilies.  is  situated  -  *« -j;^^-^: 
The  bay  receives  the  waters  ot  Sandusky  ri- 
ver Cold  and  Pipe  creeks:  at  the  mouth  of 
Cold  creek  stands  a  s,nall  deserted  Indian 
vmie  bdondng  to  the  chief  Makoonse ;  the 
IS  this  ehiefis  of  itself  a  fortune. 

The  Sandusky  is  a  considerable  river,  and 
bolbleabmitsventym^tes     Its  waters  n^ 

iprweave  with  those  of  the  Big  Miami,  its 
cour^fe»mits  souire  to  the  lake  is^  nearly 
nSri  Vessels  of  My  tons  burtten  can 
„d  as  far  as  Fort  |tephe„so..  18  m^e^ 
♦mm  it9  entrance  into  the  httte  lake,  ine 
„tZ»  fer,  is  sluggish  and  opposes  veiy 
Se  .^sistance  to  boats  going  up :   ind^d^t 

-*  ""^Xe"'L"Ke*tai::!I:i:e"nc:Xe 

G 


i. 


±L-\'- 


It  J 


74 

Saints,  Miami,  Raisins,  &c.  have  tlie  reseni^ 
blance  of  those  of  tide-water  streams.     The 
land  on  both  banks  of  the  Sandusky  is  almost 
every  where  rich ;  the  first  ten  miles  the  timber 
is  principally  oak,  with  little  nnder-wood ;  the 
interval  or  bottom  extends  with  little  internip- 
lion  from  fort  Steplienson  to  Upper  Sandusky* 
a  distance  of  forty  miles,  and  its  fertility  is 
enough  to  astonish  people,  who  have  not  trav- 
eJled'westwardly  beyond  the  Genesee.     The 
river  abounds  w'ith  several  kinds  of  valuable 
lish ;  wild  geese  and  ducks,  particularly  in 
spring  and  autumn,  are  so  thick  that  one  need 
never  be  at  a  loss  for  a  shot  at  them^    The 
prairies  are  open  and  extensive ;  they  are  al- 
ways surrounded  by  line  oak  and  chesnut  land^ 
which  will  furnish  the  best  of  rail  timber.— 
The  swales  are  covered  with  lynn,  sugar  ma- 
ple, honey  locust,  cucumber,  red  elm,  &c. 
Farms  mi^ht  be  so  chosen  that  the  proprietor 
could  take  equal  quantities  of  bottom,  open 
and  heavy  timbered  lands.    The  country,  af- 
ter you  get  ten  or  fifteen  miles  from  the  lake 
is  found  to  be  healthful ;  and  so  even  is  its 
surface,  that  roads  ean  be  readily  opened  in 
every  direction.    Besides,  there  is  another  ad- 
vantage,  which  no  other,  country  this  side  the 
Missisippi  possesses  in  an  equal  degree :  1 
mean  the  range  for  cattle  and  hogs : — There 
is  a  natural  mmdow  independent  of  the  im- 
mense prairies,  ninety  miles  long  and  from  two 
to  ten  wide,  extending  from  tke  mouth  of 
i^dKtage  to  Brownstown.    This  meadow  will 


\ 


7f) 
aflovdairinexlsmisUVilciupply  of  grassor  fifty 

ra  sc  or  pvocu.e,  probably  for  balf  a  century 
loconie.     The  carlh  yields  xv.ld  artidiokes 
and  wild  i)otaloes  i.i  prodigious  (l..anti(.e3; 
Cd  Ibe  niast  has  never  been  known  to  lad, 
becme,  there  arc  so  many  kinds  that  every 
Sni    favorable  to  some;  there  are  !«c«y 
«ut,  ha7le  nuts,  chesnuls,  acon«,  locust  seed 
Sbackwalnuts.    The  prairies  tl^^e^^^^^^^^ 
are  covered  with  a  redundant  growth  of  grass 
Xch  has  been  found  a  good  subst.tu^ej^^ 
hay.    When  they  are  sufficiently  plowed  tl  ey 
Sy  take  timothy  and  other  hay  seed-the 
^    Va  rich  dry  muck  and  produces  corn 
flax,  be.np,  potatoes,  &c.  as  well  as  the  best 
OWo  bottoml    The  celebrated  vale  of  Tcmve 
was  not  more  enchanting  to  the  eye  of  the 
lavished  beholder,  than  is  the  scenery  of  these 
beaSnl  plains :  An  officer  of  thenorth-wes- 
lein  ann/lhus  describes  an  extensive  pran.e 
Z!"  Ifter  travelling  some  scores  of  nules 
[froin  Urbanna]  through  a  thick  and  contmu- 
ed  fore«t,  and  suddenly  emerging  from  it  into 
ibUexten^ive  plain,  the  sensations  produced 
;L^!e  uLd^are  delightful  beyond  desenp- 
tion.    The  traveller  is  almost  ready  to  ima- 
line  himself  suddenly  transported  into  the 
&Wthe  ancients'    Letthe  reader  figure 
toSf  a  beautiful  plain,  extendmg  niany 
miKen  until  the  distant  horisonterimnates 
wfvlew;  let  this  plain  be  covered  with  the 
She^  verdure  and  the  finest!  mis  of  natnre 


!  t\ 


il 


w 


..«..—»«►  ♦—'■••  - 


70 


) 


(i.  I 


in  it8  greatest  exuberance,  and  variegated  wilk 
distant  clusters  of  trees,  and  he  will  have  some 
feint  idea  of  the  grounds  here  described.  In- 
deed tlie  philosophic  naind  will  rarely  enjo^^ 
a  richer  feast  than  nature  liere  presents  hiiiJ.'* 

A  barrel  of  pork,  beef  or  flour  can  be  senti 
to  Montreal  for  one  dollar  and  seventh-five 
cents.  The  land  belongeto  the  United  States, 
and  can  be  had  for  two  dollars  an  acre.— 
These  peculiar  advantages  have  not  escaped 
the  notice  of  many  enterjjrizing  men,  who  had 
began  to  break  ground  just  as  the  war  com- 
me'nced ; — that  event  has  necessarily  suspend- 
ed the  settlements;  but  they  will  undoubted^ 
ly  be  resiuTied  the  ensuing  spring. 

Fort  Stephenson  is  situated  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  Sandusky,  at  tlie  distance  of  two 
hundred  yards  from  Ihe  river,  whei-e  the  se- 
cond banks  are  about  fifty  feet  high.  Seven 
miles  above  the  fort  arc  the  Seneca  and  Dela- 
ware Indian  villages.  The  distance  from  this 
post  to  fort  Meigs  is  forty  miles ;  the  road 
])asse3  through  ihe  Black  Swamp,  wh*  h  is 
four  miles  wide.  The  country  between  this 
load  and  the  great  meadow  is  too  flat  for  cul- 
tivation, though  the  soil  is  extremely  rich. 

Portage  river  is  a  deep  languid  stream,  fm- 
nishing  an  excellent  harbor  for  small  craft  at 
its  mouth.  It  rises  in  the  Black  swamp  and  is 
Bot  more  than  thirty  miles  long ;  but  is  one 


V 


77 

hundieil  yards  wide  six  miles  fiom  the  lake ; 
the  land  on  !>oth  sides  is  rich.    The  reniaina 
of  an  IndiiUi  village  me  to  be  seen  on  its  lett 
bank,  where  there  is  also  a  peaeh  orchard  ; 
this  river  is  a  i>lace  of  great  resort  for  wild 
fowl     Habere  is  a  United  States  store  house 
on  the  JPorlai^e  road  from  Sandusky  bay  tc 
the  mouth  of  the  river.    There  is  very  litt« 
thnber  lh  owing  on  the  neck  of  the  pemnsula. 
No  white  man  has  as  yet  hai'  the  hardihood  to 
settle  at  the  mouth  of  Portage,  thou<rh  the  ad- 
vantages of  the  raiiore  are  mealculuble ;  be- 
sides Ihere  Will  alwiysbe  much  travelling 
across  the  Port  ge. 

The  Great  Mbadow  cannot  contain  le$s 
than  two  hundred  thousand  acre?     Its  bank 
is  generally  about  eight  fet^    above  the  sur- 
face of  the  lake.    The  soil  is  mnjanv  parts 
suflficienlly  dry  for  ploughing,  and  tacesol 
old  Indiaif  cor   hills  arc  Trequently  met  wi  h. 
I  had  the  best  opportumty  for  exploring  that 
part  whicli  lies  between  Miami  bay  and  Foi- 
tage  river.    Sergeant  3^   atiam,  myself  and 
three  others,  of  irClella  .d%^  company,  wert 
dispatched  froui  fort  Meigs  witii  a  leiteyroni 
<ren.  M'Ailbur  to  general  Harrison.    We  de- 
scended the  Miami  in.a  <^anf,»  and  at  sunset 
had  ii  St  reached  the  bay,  wl  di  like  that  ol 
Sandusky  has  every  api>eiiiacee  of  a  lake--- 
it  ^oon  became  dark  and  wmJy,  and  instead 
af.*trikiiig' tlie mouthoftliebo^  we^naadek/  d 
Ss^,7e^3na  iml€s  too  far  to  the  right.- 

G  2 


I 


/ 


7n 

It  was  about  uikltii«jht  when  >vo  landed  ;  we 
were  completely  lost,  and  tlie  darkness  rcMi- 
dercd  it  impracticable  to  correct  our  mistake 
before  daviiglit.  We  therefore  hauled  up  our' 
canoe  and*  concealed  our^-elves  in  the  grass  till 
morning.     My  comrades  slept  soundly  ;   as 
for  me,   it  was  the  iirst  time  1  had  been  ex- 
.posed  to  the  tomahawk,  and  every  rustling  J 
heard  I  fancied  it  was  caused  by  the  footsteps 
of  a  savage — my  eyes  never  closed  that  night. 
At  the  dawn  of  day  we  rejwired  to  the  beach 
and  found  our  canoe  completely  tilled  by  the 
dashing  of  the  surf.    We  had  left  every  thing 
in  the  canoe  butour  nmsket,  [we  kid  but  one] 
i>ur  amnmnition  and  provisions  were  com- 
pletely soaked.  Hero  we  were ;  in  an  Indian 
rountry  with  nothing  to  defend  ourselves  with 
but  an  ax  and  a  musket  which  coidd  not  be 
discharged.    I  could  not  persuade  my  com- 
panions la  bail  the  canoe  and  proceed  by  wa- 
ter; they  preferred  going  down  the  beach  of 
I  he  lake  ;  tiie  distance  was  foily  uiiles.     We 
were  then  not  more  than  one  mile  from  the 
lake,  and  by  forcing  our  way  tlirough  the 
grass  of  the  meadow  we  coidd  save  several 
j5%iles  travel ;  this  we  attempted,  but  found  the 
ij^'ass  higher  than  our  heads  and  as  thick  as  a 
mat,  confined  together  by  a  species  of  pea 
vine,  which  compelled  us  to  tread  it  under  our 
feet  to  make  the  least  progress ;  this  opera- 
tion  was  too  slow ;  nd  fatiguing  to  be  long  con- 
tinued ;  besides  the  trail  which  we  made  was 
UyoconspicmusioY my  then  notions  ofpruflence> 


is 


ami  in  till'  t'oiiiR'  of  a  lew  rods  wc  liacl  distur- 
bed several  rattle  sirakes— one  ol'our  party 
^as  barefoot,  tlie  rest  in  shoes. 

We  retraced  oin  step-?,  followed  the  !>each 
to  the  mouth  of  the  bay  and  thence  down  the 
lake  shore.    About  twelve  we  fouml  our  pro- 
oress  stoppe.i  by  a  deep  dark  stream,  which 
fveatlirst  supposed  to  be  Porta<re  river.     A 
maioritv  of  tlie  company  voted  ai^ainst  swnn^ 
miller;  (uideed  one  could  not  swim)  and  we 
toufd  not  liiKl  materials  for  a  raft.   1  he  mead^ 
ow  is  here  apparently  ten  miles  wide.     It  was 
thou"-ht,  liw  could  irain  the  woods  we  coukl 
eitheT  ford  or  raft  across  the  river.    Accord- 
ingly we  lirmly  resolved  to  force  ouri)assaire 
throu^di  the  i!:vass  to  the  woods ;  we  were-  m-- 
duced  to  adopt  this  alternative  in  conseqHence 
of  observiuo;  the  yellow  blos^ouu  ot   a  tall 
weed,  which  lined  the  bawks  of  the  river  af^ 
lar  as  we  could  see  them,  and  which  always 
..row  on  the  dryest  parts.    We  pushed  on  as 
fast  as  possible  ;  each  one  taking  his  turn  to 
open  a  passage ;  in  this  way  we  progressed 
about  two  miles  and  found  the  labor  too  great 
to  be   surmounted.      We  returned   to  the 
iriouth  of  the   river    (which  we  afterwards 
learnt  to  be  the  Tous  Saints)  and  attempted  to 
o-ain  the  woods  by  a  new  passage  one  mile  tur- 
ther  up  the  lake.    AVe  forced  the  grass  nearly 
a  mile  to  a  grove  of  trees  which  appeared  to 
be  within  a  short  distance  of  an  arm  of  the 
main  woods.  It  is  impossible  for  me  to  give  the 


i 


.._i,'' 


¥■ 


reader  ^  perfect  idea  of  the  difficulties  &  Migiie 
we  experienced  in  getting  to  the  grove .    Tim 
grass  was  about  seven  feet  high  and  so  thick 
that  it  would  easily  sustain  one's  hat— in  some 
places  a  cat  could  have  walked  on  its  surface  ; 
in  many  places  it  was  effectually  matted  by 
vines  that  required  one's  whole  strength  t6 
break  it  down.    To  break  the  road  four  rods 
was  as  much  as  the  best  of  us  could  perfonu 
at  one  turn.     We  continued  our  exertions  till 
dark  and  succeedec»  in  reaching  an  insulated 
piece  of  woods  half  a  mile  wide  and  three 
loiiti ;  wc  encamped  near  the  banks  of  an  im- 
passable sl(    Ph  or  branch  of  the  river ;  wet, 
fati<^up'^  -^nd  supperless,  we  lay  down  on  the 
moist  ..>       and  had  but  two  blankets  among 
five  of^us.    Not  a  moment's  sleep  for  my  eyes 
this  night;  but  neither  the  danger  of  the  rat- 
tle snake'ri  f^ngs  or  the  horrors  of  the  scalping 
knife  had  any  influence  with  my  comrades  ; 
they  slept  as  soundly  as  tjiough  they  had  been 
under  their  paternal  roofs.    But  they  had 
been  so  long  familiarized  to  danger,  that  it  had 
lost  Hs  terrors — I  was  a  raw  hand  ;  .hence  the 
dift'erence.    The  geese,  ducks  and  other  fowl 
kept  up  an  incessant  noise  the  whole  night.— 
The  dew  had  the  effect  of  a  shower- our 
clotlies  and  blankets  were  as  wet  as  though 
they  had  been  exposed  to  a  heavy  rain.    In 
.w  morning,  finding  our  progress  checked, 
vre  attempted  an  "  oWiqne  moven^nt  to  the 
left  "but  this  produced  no  better  succes;  at 
ten  o'clock  we  became  too  much  exijaust^J 


/A 


8t 

,o  couliiiue  our  eftbrts.    "  A  «ouiicU  of  war" 
was  held;  the  result  was,  evey  one  wa  wj 
lini?  to  return  to  tlie  mouth  of  the  uver  ami 
effect,  its  passage  at  every  hazard.    On  our 
return  to  the  river,  we  found  fresh  liorse  ana 
Indian  tracks,  but  whether  they  were  made 
by  friendly  ot  liostile  Indians,  wenever  learirt, 
We  had  the  good  fortune  to  find  a  piece  of 
drift  wood  sufficietly  large  *?  sustamtbe  rr^n 
that  could  not  swim,  our  clothes,  &c.   Ot  tDK 
4  made  a  rude  raft,  with  which  we  succeeded 
insetting  over.    Suffice  it  to  sjay,  m  oonclu- 
sioS,  that  we  afterwards  found  too  n«ny  op- 
portunities to  becoiTMs  thoroudil);  acquainted 
with  this  immense  meadow.    It  is  no  exage- 
ration  to  say  that  we  met  with  rattle  snakes 
every  ten  rods  from  Tous  Samtsto  I\>rtage 
liver     The  grass  of  this  meadow  is  of  a  sott- 
er  kind  than  the  wild  grass  of  the  prairies  and 
answers  ail  the  purposesof  h^^y  "i'».P?*<;"!' 
It  is  intermixed  with  wild  oats,  wild  lye. 
wild  peas,  beans,  &c.  making  it  m  short,  the 
best  range  for  cattle  or  horses  I  ever  savy.— 
The  Tous  Saints  is  an  unfrequented  solitary 
river,  and  the  best  place  for  fowling  this  side 
Detroit.    To  those  attached  t9  this  kind  ot 
,port!it  is  worth  a  journey  of  five  hundred 
miles  to  view  the  feathered  assemblage  which 
almost  coverthe  surfaceof the  riverand  some- 
times darken  the  air  with  tbeir  numbers, 

Miami  bay,  like  that  of  Sandusky,  resem- 
bles a  lake  ;  it  is  about  fifteen  miles  long  and 


ja 


w 


82 


I'i 


■^ 


twelve  wide  ;  vessels  of  70  loi)s^l3ur then  can 
pass  the  bar  at  its 


entrance, 
sever 


Within  the  ho- 


acres 
constitute: 


soni  of  this  bay  grow  several  thousand 
oi'folleai'oine,   {}\Md  oats)  which  conh...^.. 
the  principal  food  of  the  vast  ilocks  of  ducks 
that  frequent  the  place.     It  grows  in  about  ?■ 
feet  water ;  the  stalks  near  the  roots  are  abe)ut 
an  inch  in  diamater  and  gix)w  to  the  hcj-ht 
often  feet ;  its  leaves  above  the  surface  ol  the 
water  are  like  those  of  the  reed  cane ;  m  other 
respects  it  resembles  the  common  oat  staJk  m 
every  thine;  but  size  and  kernel,  which  is  ot 
the  nature  of  rice,  and  of  which  the  French 
people  make  a  free  use  in  their  favorite  soup. 
Its  yield  is  very  abundant,  being  halt  a  pint, 
at  least,  from  every  stalk,    lbs   valuable 
aquatic  graia  is  found   at  tlie  mouths  of  ail 
the  rivers  which  fall  into  the  lakes  west  of 
Sandusky,  as  far  as  the  south  end  of  lake  M> 
chio-an,  and  is  the  chiet  subsistence  oi  t[.e 
prodigious  number  of  water  fowl  which  are 
found  on  these  waters.    The   duck  ha.«  be « 
come  singuUuly  expert  in  phicking  her  iood 
from  the  folk  avoine  ;  being  unable  to  i  eaci) 
the  highest  branches,  she  presses  her  breast 
against  the  stalk  and  with  a  violent  efiort  ol 
her  feet  causes  it  to  >ield  to  her  strength, 
which  it  readily  does  by  reason  of  its  slender 
fibrous   roots —having  forcf^d  the  top  ot  tlie 
stalk  into  the  water,  nhc  keeps  W  under  \m 
body  until  she  lip  (lni.-hrfl  Wv  repast. 


edge,  i 

verdui 

lapids 

compc 

gular 

perpe 

versel 

banki 

also  c 

peara 

worn 

was  \\ 

Fo 
uearl 
here 

Tl 

right 
elevc 
flow! 
ley, 


83 

'the  Miarai-of-the-lake  is  a  fine  river  navi- 
■rable  for  light  vessels  as  far  as  tlie  rapids, 
which  are  13  miles  from  its  mouth.  It  isfovm- 
Id  bv  the  iunction  of  the  St.  Mary's  and 
the  St.  Joseph's,  which  mingle  their  waters  at 
foi-t  Wayne;  from  thence  it  meanders  through 
a  rich  level  country  to  fort  Winchester,  (lately 
fort  De(iance)  where  it  receives  the  Au  Ola.ze 
(•rem  the  south  east;  its  general  course  is 
north-east  ;  its  banks  are  regular-high,  but 
not  abrupt-sloping  gradually  o  the  water  s 
..d<re,  and  covered  with  a  beautiful  luxuriant 
verdure.    The  channel  of  the  river  from  the 
rapids,  to  within  three  miles  of  the  bay  is 
composed  of  limestone  rock,  formed  into  re- 
.rular  strata  by  parallel  fissures,  which  sink 
perpendicularly  into  the  rock  and  run  trans- 
versely across  the  river.    The  face  of  the 
bank  for  ten  or  twelve  feet  above  the  water  is 
also  composed  of  solid  rock,  and  frcJii  its  ap- 
pearance it  is  evident  that  the   current  has 
worn  the  channel  many  feet  deeper  than  it 
was  in  former  ages. 

Fort  Meigs  is  situated  on  the  eastern  bank 
nearly  opposite  the  Rff^J^f  P'-^^P'^^* 
iiere  in  summer  is  most  deiignltul. 

Tire  rich  open  bottoms  extending  to  the 
ri-rht  and  left  as  far  as  the  ey^  can  reach ;  the 
elevation  of  the  banks;  the  beautiful  IVIiarai 
flowing  rapidly  thvoigh  the  centre  of  the  va  - 
ley,  the  declivitJQS  of  the  surrounding  •  lulls 


1^  1 


u 

Ji^re  and  there  adorned  with  clusters  oi 
honey  locnst,  plum  trees  and  hawthorn,  clad 
with  the  wide  spreading  grape  vine—  present 
at  once  a  romantic  and  interesting  scenery. 

No  one  can  visit  this  place  and  not  be  charm- 
ed with  its  appearance  and  peculiar  advan- 
tao^es.    If  fishing  be  his  favorite  diversion, 
here  he  will  attain  his  utmost  gratification.^ 
The  quantity  of  fish  at  the  rapids  is  almost 
incredible  ;  the  Miami   at  this  place,  is  now 
what  the  rapids  of  Fish  creek    in  Saratoga 
county  were  40  years  ago.    So  numerous  are 
they  at  this  place,  that  a  spear  may  be  thrown 
inti  the  water  at  random,    and    wdl  rarely 
miss  killing  one !  I  saw  several  hundred  tak- 
en in  this  manner  in  a  few  hours.     The  sol- 
diers of  the  fort  used  to  kill  them  in  great 
Quantities  with  clubs  and  stones.    Some  days 
there  were  not  less  than  1000  taken  with  the 
liook  within  a  short  distance  of  tlie  fort,  and 
of  an  excellent  quality.    If  he  prefer  fowling, 
here  also  is  a  fine  field  for  his  sports  ;  the  river 
—Swan  creek,   and  the  shoals  of  the  bay, 
swarm  with  ducks,  geese,  &c.    Be  need  not 
wait  one  minute  for  a  shot.    If  hunting  is  the 
obiect  of  his  desire,  here  too,  he  will  find  ani- 
ple  scope  to  indulge  his  propensity ;  the  woods 
are  fiUed  with  deer,  elk  and  wild  turkiea. 

The  whole  length  of  the  rapids  on  both 
sides  the  rivei,  will  unquestionably,  at  no  re- 
mote period^  be  lined  witii  Hiills  and  vari«>us 


85 

f  ,  »<^,  ;p«     f  he  situation  is  peculiarly 
inanufavtoi  es.     1  ne  ^^^^^^„  ,vith  an 

favorable  ;  '*  «P^"f' ^^^^ry,  south  and  west- 
''"T^thTSSe"  of  locality,  water,  nav^ 

»oS:&^-.,rtKSaS 

1^^'°  ^KpK  enchasing  settlements  on 
f  vf  Frie  wUu4nder  inanufactones  jndispen- 
lake  Ji.rie  wm  "=»  .^  ,  affords  a  beautiful 
sable.  Besi<*es,  *»«  P^*^^"iitt! ,-  doubt  but 
scite  for  a  town  ;  and  *«^  >;(,i  ^  .^  fl„„rish- 

that,  in  a  «hort^«"^.  J^^'J  ^here  now  stands 
ing  village  »« "L^fro"  ^^^^  ^^^  a 

fort  Mf  f  ^..S  ,ett  Lent  on  the  river. 
^T'fffSseVeraV  miles  «bove  and  below 
extending  l?,';^Xou^s  were  all  destroyed  by 

the  town.  ^/«»^'if 'after  Hull's  suiiender, 
the  enemy  afew  WeeMei  »  ^^^^^^  ^^  .^^ 

and  nothing  now  ^^^^^Ximn'^s;  The  usu- 
forinerexwtence  buj^  ^^  the  acre.- 

ffie  wi  "  a  «-«"  ^''"l^'^lr  ThTs 
Iherewrt^       >,v>*vpd  the   same   fete,     ims 

SMSot:1.i^even  1^^^ 

arthi  "^" '* -- '^"™^:'^  *^ '"' 

dians. 

iLU.ii  three  nito  belo^^  fort  Meigsy  on  the 
Abom  ttii-ee  nuit.^  -uing  of  tMt  ancient 


tj  ' 


# 
loit  are  Several  beautiful  islands  ;  the  largest 
contains  500  acies,  and  has  been  cultivated. 

The  distance  by  laiKl  froni  loi-t  Meigs  to  the 
river  Raisin  is  34  miles.  Four  roiles  this  side 
ilaisin  the  little  river  La  Loutre  falls  ihto 
lake  Erie*  Several  families  of  l*'i*eneh  Were 
established  here  before  the  war,  but  their  hab- 
itations were  mostly  burnt  slionly  after  the 
fall  of  Detroit*  Tbi»  stream  aftbrds  a  good 
harbor  for  boat»»  1  was  t<»ld  by  several  of 
the  inhabitants  that  the  lasid  about  tlie  head 
waters  of  tbic  mer  is  very  fertile-— that  tlierc 
are  several  valuable  mill  seats  near  tis  sour- 
ces. .  .. 

Tlie  Lake  ci>^t  from  Sandusky  bay  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Raisin  resembles  fljat  part  be- 
tween tliebayand  Portage  river,  already  des- 
ci-ibed.  Ihadfoi'gottento  menlioh  that  the 
margin  of  the  coast  is  several  feet  higher  tban 
the  plain  in  Us  r^^ar^  this  necessary  mound  ex- 
lends  the  whc4e  length  of  the  meadow — its 
summit  is  cohered  with  a  row  of  trees,  which 
in  ♦heir  timis  in  s^Ailawier  are  cov^a  ed  witli  an 
impenotraye  foliage  of  grape  viae  ;4he9e  forna 
refte^ng  shatdes — grapes  are  found  in  abun- 
dancf^y  but  they  are  of  the  j^ciee  usually  cal- 
led fox  grapes. 

,,  The  mound  was  evidently  formed  of  Baxid, 

'sfiells  and  peblee,  wluch  the  violence  of  the 

.  «urf  hia&be^n^ecuniulatlfig  foa*  ages ;  if  it  we*e 


i^v..,„:,sife;^ 


■Im; iV'ltB  •-'  J.^iit^t-i^'^  ]/ 


X*elVttth"an<Ianl  .tones. 

trier  ages.  f/^^^^^^^Jnt  br  the  state 

oUhc  .s«o«rf  »**i  ov\vatei-worn  stone., 
be  fpuml  ^y^'"^  S,  of  sand  and  other  eri- 

The  dver':aH.  ^fg^»  if^sequSce'S 

acquived  great  •^el^*'"^  *"  tX«y  co"^'*^^ 
angbeenthe^e^o^^^^^^^  his 

between  the  A  neucup^  its  banks  grc 

amller  than  the  M'^'  ^^^^  of  that  iber  ; 
equally  '^"Vf ""*  J'^ilC'er.    Its  source 

fe  nesjT  that  ot  |n^^^', /'..t^n.    Us  oourse  B 
«,e  east  sWe  of  teke  Micl^g'"'^^^    >f  ^^      ^^ 

a  few  minntes  «<>«^';;^f^^.t;„„tcTs  and  Indiana 

to  be  dehgiitbil-     ^'  ^  i^mn  a  eood 

dcra  thrmigl.  »'*,~°;X!  is  sHtled  along 

harbor  for  ««f  t'^",.  ^J^^^ee  of  ^«el'«  '^^^''" 
both  banks  for  the  ^?^^  "'S        „,iies  distant 


I 


■:,-<aa0^  ' 


'86 

bank  of  the  river,  giveft  it  something  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  street  of  a  town.  The  inhabi- 
tants raise  large  quantities  of  wheat,  and  have 
fine  orchards  from  which  cider  is  made  for 
exportation.  Previous  to  the  war  they  had 
seT^eral  grist  and  saw  milk  and  a  distillery.i--- 
Tliey  are  principally  French  and  warmly  at- 
tached to  the  United  States.  A  considerable 
Indian  trade  is  carried  on  with  the  Indians 
from  the  St.  Joseph's  and  the  waters  of  laj^e 
Michigan,  There  are  se\eral  Indian  villages 
on  the  river  above  the  settlement.  Good 
bargains  can  be  made  in  purchasing  improved 
farms ;  the  inhabitants  do  not  appear  to  un- 
<ierstand  the  value  of  improvements.  The 
country  on  the  Raisin  has  acquired  a  charac- 
ter for  health,  but  it  was  visited  by  the  epi- 
demic of  last  year. 


•uV» 


•  „.■•-■ 

The  late  garrison  on  this  river  was  situated 
about  three  miles  from  the  lake. .  It  consisted 
of  two  block  houses,  with  about  an  aM?e  of 
ground  enclosed  by  pickets,  at  the  (Jistgmce  of 
V)  rods  from  tlie  river.  The  scite^  had  been 
injudiciously  selected,  for  defence,  After 
the  territory  fell  into  the  hands  of  th4  British 
and  Indians,  they  burnt  llie  block  h^ses.— 
When  gen*  AViiK^bester  advanced  to  the  river, 
in  January,  1813,  he  found  nothing  but  a  few 
pickets,  sulficient  to  defiend  only  a  part  of  bis 
©amp* 

I  visited  tlie  battle  gi\)jund  and  e::siamined 


*the  remi 
pletely 
bones  oi 
in  the  a 

Sevei 

Sables  1 

erable 

tlie  littl 

f(Me  av 

vers. 

these  V 

rich  ;  t 

sandy, 

barley 

counti 

very  t 

geats. 

Six 
er  An 
buttl 
a  few 
hums 
brav( 
corn 
then 

mx^ 
dob 
aqu5 
oftti 
putr 
inha 


89 

Ihe  i-emains  of  the  pickels,  which  were  eom- 

p  etely  shattered  b^y  the  «"«'"y^,ft*-,,£,t 
tones  of  our  countrymen  were  stdl  bleathina 

in  tlie  air. 

Seven  miles  from  R-H^£^  jl'^i^. 
Sabks  falls  into  the  lake.  .There «^c"ns.a 
arable  bay  at  its  mouth  mto  which  ^is?  runs 
?»^  little  river  La  Roche  ;  vast  quantities  of 
S  He  SomHs  found  at  the  mouths  of  hese  n- 
S     Afew  French  fainilies  are  set  led  on 
Ihl!;  wtte^s     The  bottom  is  extensive  and 
^^  f  T;  imland  ij  open  and  in  many  places 
^nd^tSffici^ntlJ  fertile  for  wheat  ^^g 
Lrlly^If^undno^r^nacqu^^^^^^^ 

ry^'is^aidViS^VSr  valuable  ^ 

seats. 

mv  iriile=  from  tlie  river  La  Roche  is  the  riv- 
.r-AlxC^MS^  banks  near  the  lake  are  ow. 
buUte  mfado  V  is  susceptible  of  cultivation 
^  fr  w  wSed  French  families  are  the  on  y 
SnTeSsttot  have  had  f  ^5,  « 
brave  disease  and  rjdesj^to^^^^^^^        wj^^ 

reCeWt  le'oftt  -^^^^^^  but  wl.at 

h2 


^- 


>';)   ■ 


1'      r 


90 

and  drinking.    AVhy  it  did  not  produce  iiu 

s"a„t  death  f  cannot  conceive  ;  their  children 

looked  iniBerably.    This  w  by  far  the  wo r.t 

ooking  stream  tributary  to  Lake  Erie.     1 1  e 

Sbered  land  liere,  approacl.es  withm  a  mde 

of  the  lake  ;   four  miles  from  the  lake   Aux 

C.S  has  a  brisk  cmrent,  and  aflords  situa- 

Sfavorable  to  the  ereclion  of  water  ma- 

cCery.    The  trees  are  lofty-the  land  high 

and  arable. 

For  the   space  of  two  miles  between  La 

Roche  and  Aux  Cignes  tlie  meadow  is  inte*- 

lUDted  by  wood  land  which  approaches  to  the 

S     This  situation  is  as  hfgh  as  the  islands 

Of  aie  lake  and  has  the  same  soO^and  timber. 

Six  miles-  from  Aux  Cignes,  in  the  direction 
of  Brownstown,  comes  in  the  river  Huron  * 
whicl.  pursues  a  devioBs  course vhr.ugh  the 
LadoV  a«d  the  foUe  avome  of  tl^  1-^^    ^ 
i-eouires  an  expei«nced  pilot  to  tmd  the  en 
^re  into  this^iver-it  is  not  la^,  down  - 
inv  Enelish  map  now  m  use.     VVe-  spent  a 
SiUe  niohl  on  a  point  of  the  meadow  near 
HoutK  the  last  of  Octote  1813;  tl«, 
rain  fell  in  lorents  the  whole  night  and  extin- 
.     mished  our  fires;  we  had  no  tents  and  >.ere 
drenched  to  tHe  skhi.    I  l«ie  saw  an  intelU- 

TThere  are  three  riversof  this  nam^the  one  in  ques- 
.•.„n  Huron  running  into  the  American  side  of  lake  St. 
cri;:™rCrthfl  tall,  into  tokeErfe,t.!n»>,I«  east 

of  eanduslty  b»y. 


Cignes. 
lyoppt 

iu-iiie- 
the  ri^ 
diansl 

and  w! 
and  f( 

raise 
Mald( 

i\m' 

dictei 

looki! 

Fc 

little 
Tbe 
lake 
Isky 

Can 


91 

below  MaWen  is  vi»il)le  U  ,m     c 
Huron. 

The  distance  from  Huron  to  Brownslown 

having  g';»J^=J  1^  "^''^BrowUBtrnvn  i.  near- 

dianslwvc  several  »™^  indolence 

and  fondness  101  .p"  K  j,^^^  ^ 

raise  very  'f «  ^^^'^^.njaous  influence,  on 

Maiden  ^'^' "  7^2v^s     They  are  much  ad- 
thei-mmdsandinoials.     iney         j^      .^^^ 

dieted  to  intoxication,  ana  die 
looking  set  ofbeings. 

Pour  miles  above  Brownstown  stands  the 

.  °  -.1  „i  ,>f  Ma<ruao-o  of  twenty  houses.— 

little  village  "f  *f  S"a»°  °  .       y^^  £.„,„  the 

'R'  ttvwi'dnr  two  channels  by  Grose 
^r  r '«n  alhS«  of  ten  thousand  acres  on 
'fvh  are  ™al  valuable  fanns  owned  by 
SnirF^S.    BotVtoo  island,  m  front 


^1 


..     j^.aalje^"^tx«^t 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


// 


1.0 


I.I 


IIIM 

112 


1^    


11= 
1.8 


* 

1.25      1.4 

1.6 

*l 

6"     — 

► 

Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14)80 

(716)  872-4503 


ft*     J??  ^     ///// 

4^  Wj> 


C/j 


f 


»  \ 


9fi[ 

of  Maldea  belongs  to  the  Uninted  States ;  thxe 
channel  passes  hetweenthis  island  and  Maiden* 
At  no  time  since  the  declaration  of  indepen-^ 
dence  till  the  capture  of  Maiden,  has  the  Bri-^ 
tish  flag  ceased  to  "  wave  over  the  territory'' 
oi  the  United  States ;  from  1783  to  1794  the 
British  retained  the  frontier  posts  of  Detroit, 
Miami,  &c;  from  1794  till  1813,they  had  al^ 
ways  kept  a  small  garrison  with  a  battery  and 
flag  staff  on  Bois  blanc !  This  fact  cannot  be 
controverted. 

The  American  side  of  the  strait  rcceives  tli^ 
rivers  Aux  Ecorces  and  Rouge ;  the  first  is 
at  the  distance  of  ten,  the  latter  fire  miles  be- 
low Detroit.  The  Rotige  is  a  deep  slow  stream, 
capable  of  admitting  vessels  of  three  hundred 
tons  five  miles  from  its  mouth,  where  thei^  is 
a  shipyard;  The  United  States  brig  Adami^ 
was  built  here :  its  banks  are  thickly  settled  hf 
French.  Several  Indian  villages  are  estab- 
lished on  its  head  water.  The  mouths  of  Aux 
Ecorces  and  Rouge  ai'e  wide  and  contain  ma- 
ny hundred  nevesoifoNe  avoinc.  The  road 
from  Aux  Ecorces  to  Brownstown  passes  on 
iarddry  land  and  through  several  groves  of 
lofty  white  oak  timber. 

Three  mites  below  Detroit  are  the  Spring 
Wells,  or  Belle  Fontaine.  The  -bffnk  is  li^re 
about  thirty  feetbigh,  and  presentsf  one  of  the 
finest  views  imaginable.  You  have  a  full 
view  <^ihe  ihramnn  shore  for  ^<;ft  w  "Bfi^aHf, 


miles,  S!inc 
Hvind-mills 

The  tow 

em  bank  c 

St.  Clair  a 

The  town 

which  are 

and  two  h 

often   cro 

stands  cor 

tlie  bank, 

high.    Th 

tending  ii 

dred  feet, 

pingi  tlie 

States,  an< 

unloading 

Fun  ptiralj 

'^by  cross 

wide,  bul 

muddy  in 

dation  of 

most  of  tl 

house  has 

ings  are  i1 

^ral  eleg? 

fore  the  ^ 

rounded  1 

there  vrei 

the  whan 

fence  was 

|pdian«v 


■■"(•I 


Hi 


"""■.'",      i.<Ui;-4iiM 


iftjf  Hi»«?sepT"f??wwi  ■?.  j'-wssif 


93 

ixiiles,  S^iidwicli,  Detroit,  Les  Cotes,  and  the 
Svind-inills  bl  both  shores. 

Tlie  town  of  Detroit  is  situated  oil  f  he  west* 
em  bank  of  the  strait,  nine  mil^s  below  lake 
St.  Clair  and  eighteen  above  Brownstown.— 
The  town  contains  about  two  hundred  lipusesj 
which  are  inhabited  by  more  than  one  thous- 
and two  hundred  soiiis;  under  one  roof  are 
often   crowded  several  families.    The  town 
stands  contiguous  to  the  river,  on  the  top  of 
tlie  bank,  which  ai^  fciere  about  tweipty  feet 
high.    There  are  several  wooden  wharves  es«- 
tending  into  the  river  upwards  of  one  hun- 
dred feet,  for  the  accommo^Jation  of  the  ship- 
ping; tiie  largest  was  built  by  the  United 
States,  and  is  found  very  convenient  for  the 
unloading  of  vessels.    The  principal  streets 
Fun  parallel  with  thfe  riVer,  aiid  are  intersected 
by  cross  streets  at  right  angles.    They  are 
wide,  but  not  being  paved  arc  extremely 
muddy  in  wet  weather ;  but  for  the  accommt)- 
(iationof  passengers,  there  are  foot  ways  in 
most  of  them,  formed  of  square  logs.    Every 
house  has  a  g^ardeii  attached  to  it;  the  btiild- 
ings  are  mostly  framed,  though  there  are  sev- 
eral elegant  stone  and  brick  buildings.    Be* 
fore  the  great  fire  in  1806,  the  town  was  sii5r- 
rounded  by  a  strong  stockade,  through  wlrich 
there  vrere  four  gates ;  two  of  them  open  to 
the  wharvesithe  otheirs  to  the  laud ;  this  de- 
fence was  intended  to  repl  the  attacks  of  the 
indianSv   '         '  ■'.  •    .-•   ^-'fii  ^--4<^  m^ri^^^Y* 


* 


n\ 


94 

The  fort  standi  on  a  rise  of  ground  two 
hundred  yards  in  the  rmt  of  the  town ;  ih<*? 
fortifications  consist  of  a  stockade  of  cedar 
pickets,  with  bastions  of  eartk }  near  the  foot 
of  the  ditch  is  a  row  of  short  *arp  prcket^ 
Inclining  outward^^hirty  pieces  of  ^^nnojj 
«an  be  mounted  on  t^  ramparts  ;  the^tort 
covers  about  an  acre  and  a  half  of  ground. 

The  proximity  of  one  house  to  another, 
from  lake  St.  Clair  to  tlie  river  Eo«2e,  gives 
the  street  the  resemblance  of  the  isuburbs  of 
%  irrcat  to^n.    The  farms  are  only  twenty 
rcSs  wide  on  the  river  and  extend  back,  one 
mile  and  a  quarter ;  the  same  of  those  <m  i^ 
other  rivers  as  well  as  tiioseontbe  BntKh  sid^» 
Tbe  country  round  Detroit  is  very  fimaXi 
cleared.    The  inhabitants  have  to  ^tw^  their 
wood  a  mile  and  a  half,  from  the  Unrte^ 
States  lands,  in  the  rear  of  the  town.    It  sellit 
in  market  for  three  dollars  a  cord ;  almost  ev- 
ery farm  has  an  orchard ;  appks,  peai^  ana 
peaches  do  'well— several  hundred  barrels  cif 
ader  are  annually  made,  and  sells  as  high  a^ 
six  dollars  a  barrel.    The  land  rises  gradual- 
ly from  the  river  to  the  distance  ol  three  hufv- 
dUd  yards;  it  then  recedes  till  the  country 
becomes  low  and  level,  and  continues  so  four 
or  five  miles,  when  it  lises  by  degc^^  and  at 
this  distance  is  represented  as  first  r^^e  land. 

There  are  a  number  of  stores  which  appear 
.to  have  a  brisk  trade,  and  ttiey  know  Kqw  V? 


fyktort  aii 
9(^d. 

TheUrr 
store  at  the 
— ^this  is  c^ 
the  enem; 
ariiisof  tl 
feet  long, : 
enemy  lia< 
repaired. 

The  str 
ed  with  Ii 
liei'e  to  se 
whooping 
night,  i 
tJie  town  \ 
the  issue  < 
wiih  tlieii 
i^ndi  thild 
boneaand 
away  by 
of  ptitrif 
the  river, 
ed;  tlief 
slaughter 
lected  an 
ges.  I  hi 
fancifully 
slaughtei 

Iti!$n< 


mw—af**!  iHw^tMWmWWp* 


d5 

f^Xtori  an  exorbitant   price  for  every  tiling 
sold. 

The  United  States  bavealoiig  elegant  brick 
store  at  the  water's  ed^e,  near  t&  public  wharf 
— ^this  is  completely  filled  with  the  spoils  of 
the  enemy  taken  on  the  Thames — and  the 
ariiis  of  the  volunteers*  This  buiMxng  is  ^) 
feet  long,  30  wide  and  tlu-ee  stories  high.  The 
enemy  liad  partly  unroofed  it,  but  it  was  soon 
repaired. 

The  streets  of  Detroit  are  ^^enerally  crowd- 
ed with  Indians  of  various  tribes,  who  collect 
liei'e  to  sell  tlteir  ^ns.    You  will  hear  them 
whoepiftg  and  sboutkig  in  the  streets  the  whole 
night.     A  few  days  after  Proctor's  defeat^ 
the  town  was  so  lull  of  fomislied  savages,  that 
the  issue  of  rations  to  tliem  did  n&t  keep  pace 
wj4h  tlieir  hunger,    i  have  seen  the  womea 
qairi  children  seai-ehing  about  the  ground  for 
boheaand  rindsof  pork,  whichhad  beeiiitbrown 
away  by  the  soldiers ;  meat^  m  a  high  state 
of  putrifaction*  which  had  been  thrown  into 
the  river,  was  carefully  picked  up  and  devour- 
ed ;  tlie  feet,  heads  and  entrails  of  the  cattle 
slaughtered  by  the  public  butchers,  were  col- 
lected and  sent  off  to  the  neighboring  villa- 
ges.   I  have  counted  twenty  horses  in  a  drove 
fancifully    decorated  with  the  offals  of  the 
slaughter-yard. 

It  i^  u6  move  tha«  an  act  of  Justice  to  the 


if        v> 


if 


96 

Indians  lo  state,  that  Airing  their  possession 
5S  ace.  they  conductelbetter  than  could 
reasonably  have  been  expected  from  gayages. 
WhTthey  wanted  to  ea*t  thejr  took  without 
ceremony;  but  rarely- committed  any  other 

outrage.    -     •  - 

The  irfiabitants  are  pletitifuUy  ^supplied 
«irhmanv  kinds  of  excellent  fish-the  white 
bi3y  -large  as^  shad,  are  caught  with 

Sstre^f^MFSe^^^^^^^^ 

i.„^  There  i  a  kind  of  nunnery,  a  Roman 
ThWfor  devotion  and  singing:,  a  wretched 
Sllne  office  in  which  rel  gious  French 
Cksfre  printed  in  a  rude  style.  Lea™»"^^ 
SlmStS,:  neglected     J"  1809,  Ja«.esl^. 

S?w1th  su£nf  enco«ra|ement  to  con- 
tinue It  beyond  the  third  number.  • 


',     Uii 


Z^'^ 


M^ 


) 


